Continuous cell programming devices

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises compositions, methods, and devices for creating an infection-mimicking environment within a polymer scaffold to stimulate antigen-specific dendritic cell activation. Devices of the present invention are used to provide protective immunity to subjects against infection and cancer.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 12/867,426, which is a national stage application, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371, of International Application No. PCT/US2009/000914, filed Feb. 13, 2009, claiming the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/143,630 filed Jan. 9, 2009 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/065,672 filed Feb. 13, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

This invention was made with Government support under R37 DE013033 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The Government has certain rights in the invention.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF SEQUENCE LISTING

The contents of the text file named “29297_044_Sequence_Listing.txt”, which was created on Apr. 21, 2016 and is 19.5 KB in size, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dendritic cells are the most potent activators of the immune system among antigen presenting cells. Research focused on using dendritic cells for a therapeutic benefit has been slow because dendritic cells are rare and difficult to isolate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention features a device and method for continuous programming of cells, e.g., immune cells such as dendritic cells, in situ. For example, the device is implanted and is indwelling while constantly recruiting, educating, and dispersing or sending cells forth to lymph nodes or sites of disease or infection in the body. Improvements over existing devices include long term, ongoing activation of cells that enter the device and concomitant long term, ongoing egress of immunologically activated, e.g., antigen primed cells. The device includes a scaffold composition, a recruitment composition, and a deployment composition. The deployment composition that mediates prolonged and continuous egress of primed cells is an infection-mimicking composition such as a bacterially-derived immunomodulator. In preferred embodiments, the bacterially-derived immunomodulator is a nucleic acid such as a cytosine-guanosine oligonucleotide (CpG-ODN).

The methods are used to treat a wide variety of diseases and to develop vaccines against a wide variety of antigens. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is used to develop a cancer vaccine. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an infection-mimicking microenvironment with means to activate the host immune system and subsequently induce an immune response. The use of a synthetic cytosine-guanosine oligonucleotide (CpG-ODN) sequence with exogenous granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) provides a method for precisely controlling dendritic cell migration and modulating antigen-specific immune responses. In fact, the new approach of using of this synthetic cytosine-gyanosine oligonucleotide (CpG-ODN) sequence demonstrates significant improvements and provides a new avenue for development of immune therapy.

Various components of the device are tabulated and described below.

TABLE 1 FUNCTION Present an Induce DC EXEMPLARY Attract a DC to Immunogenic Migration from DEVICE Device Factor Device 1 Scaffold Scaffold Scaffold Composition Composition Composition 2 Bioactive Bioactive Bioactive Composition Composition Composition 3 Scaffold Bioactive Bioactive Composition Composition Composition 4 Scaffold Scaffold Bioactive Composition Composition Composition 5 Bioactive Scaffold Scaffold Composition Composition Composition 6 Bioactive Bioactive Scaffold Composition Composition Composition 7 Bioactive Scaffold Bioactive Composition Composition Composition 8 Scaffold Bioactive Scaffold Composition Composition Composition

Devices perform three primary functions, e.g. attracting cells to the device, presenting an immunogenic factor, and inducing cell migration away from the device. Each of these primary functions are performed by the scaffold (bold font) and/or biological (standard font) composition(s). Table 1 provides exemplary combinations of either the scaffold or biological composition paired with at least one primary function in exemplary devices (1-8). For example, the scaffold composition performs all three primary functions (device 1). In an alternative example, the scaffold composition performs one primary function, e.g. attracts cells to the device (preferably, dendritic cells), whereas the biological composition performs two primary functions, e.g. presents an immunogenic factor and induces cells (preferably, dendritic cells) to migrate away from the device (device 3). Device 5, for instance, is the inverse combination of device 3. Exemplary secondary functions of the scaffold and/or biological compositions include, but are not limited to, targeting the device to a particular cell or tissue type, adhering/releasing the device to/from the surface of one or more cells or tissues, and modulating the stability/degradation of the device.

The invention comprises a device comprising a scaffold composition and bioactive composition, said bioactive composition being incorporated into or conjugated onto said scaffold composition, wherein said scaffold composition attracts a dendritic cell, introduces a immunogenic factor into said dendritic cell thereby activating said dendritic cell, and induces said dendritic cell to migrate away from said scaffold composition. Alternatively the bioactive composition incorporated into or coated onto the scaffold composition attracts a dendritic cell, introduces a immunogenic factor into said dendritic cell thereby activating said dendritic cell, and induces said dendritic cell to migrate away from said scaffold composition. In other preferred embodiments, the scaffold composition or bioactive composition separately attract a dendritic cell to the device, introduce an immunogenic factor into the dendritic cell, and induce the dendritic cell to migrate away from the device.

In preferred embodiments, the recruitment composition is GM-CSF, e.g., encapsulated GM-CSF. The device temporally controls local GM-CSF concentration, thereby controlling recruitment, residence, and subsequent dispersement/deployment of immune cells to lymph nodes or tissue sites distant from location of the device, e.g., sites of infection or tumor location. The concentration of GM-CSF determines whether if functions as a recruitment element or a deployment element. Accordingly, a method of programming dendritic cells in situ is carried out by introducing to a subject a device comprising scaffold composition and encapsulated recruitment composition. A pulse of recruitment composition is released from said device within 1-7 days of introduction of the device, leaving a residual amount of the recruitment composition in or on the device. The pulse is followed by slow release of the residual amount over several weeks. The local concentration of the recruitment composition and the temporal pattern of release mediates recruitment, retention, and subsequent release of dendritic cells from the device. For example, the pulse comprises at least 50, 60, 75, 90 or 95% of the amount of the recruitment composition associated with the device. An exemplary temporal release profile comprises a pulse characterized by release of at least 60% of the amount of the recruitment composition associated with said device in 1-5 days following the introduction of the device to a subject. Following the pulse, the residual amount is slowly released over an extended period of time (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 days or 2, 3, 4, 5 or more weeks) following the pulse period.

The method of making a scaffold is carried out by providing a scaffold composition, incorporating into or coating onto said scaffold composition a first bioactive composition comprising polypeptides with means for attracting or repelling a dendritic cell, and contacting said scaffold composition with a second bioactive composition, wherein said second bioactive composition is covalently or non-covalently associated with said scaffold composition wherein said second bioactive composition comprises a immunogenic factor. In an alternate embodiment of this method, the linking and contacting steps are repeated to yield a plurality of layers, wherein said second bioactive composition comprises a combination of compounds with means to activate a dendritic cell.

Methods comprise continuous in situ dendritic cell programming, comprising administering to a subject, a device comprising a scaffold composition and bioactive composition, said bioactive composition being incorporated into or conjugated onto said scaffold composition, wherein said scaffold composition attracts a dendritic cell, introduces a immunogenic factor into said dendritic cell thereby activating said dendritic cell, and induces said dendritic cell to migrate away from said scaffold composition. The devices recruit and stimulate a heterogeneous population of dendritic cells. Each subset is specialized and contributes significantly to the generation of an immune response. For example, the device mediates CpG-ODN presentation and enrichment of a subset of dendritic cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC), which are particularly important in development of anti-tumor immunity.

Methods comprise increasing vaccine efficacy, comprising administering to a subject, a device comprising a scaffold composition and bioactive composition, said bioactive composition being incorporated into or conjugated onto said scaffold composition, wherein said scaffold composition attracts a dendritic cell, introduces a immunogenic factor into said dendritic cell thereby activating said dendritic cell, and induces said dendritic cell to migrate away from said scaffold composition, thereby increasing the effectiveness of a vaccination procedure.

Methods comprise vaccinating a subject against cancer, comprising administering to a subject, a device comprising a scaffold composition and bioactive composition, said bioactive composition being incorporated into or conjugated onto said scaffold composition, wherein said scaffold composition attracts a dendritic cell, introduces a immunogenic factor into said dendritic cell thereby activating said dendritic cell, and induces said dendritic cell to migrate away from said scaffold composition, thereby conferring upon a subject anti-tumor immunity. In the case of a localized or solid tumor, the device is administered or implanted at or near the tumor site or site from which the tumor was excised or surgically removed. For example, the device is implanted at a distance of 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 40 mm from a tumor site or site of excision, e.g., the PLG vaccine device is administered 16-21 mm away from a tumor mass.

Immunogenic factors include toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands. In a preferred embodiment, the immunogenic factor used is a modified TLR-9 ligand sequence, PEI-CpG-ODN.

Scaffold compositions comprise a non-biodegradable material. Exemplary non-biodegradable materials include, but are not limited to, metal, plastic polymer, or silk polymer. Moreover, scaffold compositions are composed of a biocompatible material. This biocompatible material is non-toxic or non-immunogenic.

Bioactive compositions are covalently or non-covalently linked to the scaffold composition. Bioactive compositions comprise an element, either covalently or non-covalently bonded to the surface of the scaffold composition, with means to attract a dendritic cell. Alternatively, or in addition, bioactive compositions comprise an element, either covalently or non-covalently bonded to the surface of the scaffold composition, with means to introduce an immunogenic factor into a dendritic cell. Alternatively, or further in addition, bioactive compositions comprises an element, either covalently or non-covalently bonded to the surface of the scaffold composition, with means to induce a dendritic cell to migrate away from the scaffold composition.

The element of the bioactive composition with means to manipulate a dendritic cell is a secreted or membrane-bound amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, protein, nucleotide, dinucleotide, oligonucleotide, polynucleotide, polymer, small molecule or compound. In a preferred embodiment, this element is granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), because this element attracts dendritic cells to the scaffold composition. In another preferred embodiment, this element is a PEI-CpG-ODN sequence because this element has means to introduce CpG-ODN sequences into a dendritic cell thereby activating the cell. In a third preferred embodiment, this element is a polynucleotide or polypeptide encoding for CCR7, a chemokine receptor that mediates dendritic cell migration towards lymph nodes and away from the scaffold composition. The CCR7 element is introduced into a dendritic cell simultaneously or sequentially with PEI-CpG-ODN sequences to enhance dendritic cell migration away from the scaffold composition.

Scaffold compositions of the present invention contain an external surface. Scaffold compositions of the present invention alternatively, or in addition, contain an internal surface. External or internal surfaces of the scaffold compositions are solid or porous. Pore size is less than about 10 nm, in the range of about 100 nm-20 μm in diameter, or greater than about 20 μm.

Scaffold compositions of the present invention comprise one or more compartments.

Devices of the present invention are administered or implanted orally, systemically, sub- or trans-cunataneously, as an arterial stent, or surgically.

The devices and methods of the invention provide a solution to several problems associated with protocols for continuous cell programming in situ. In situ cell programming systems that stimulate immune responses of the cells and induce their outward migration to populate infected or diseased bodily tissues enhance the success of recovery, e.g., the specific elimination of diseased tissue. Such a device that controls cell function and/or behavior, e.g., locomotion, contains a scaffold composition and one or more bioactive compositions. The bioactive composition is incorporated into or coated onto the scaffold composition. The scaffold composition and/or bioactive composition temporally and spatially (directionally) controls dendritic cell attraction, programming, and migration.

The devices mediate active recruitment, modification, and release of host cells from the material in vivo, thereby improving the function of cells that have contacted the scaffold. For example, the device attracts or recruits cells already resident in the body to the scaffold material, and programs or reprograms the resident cells to a desired fate (e.g., immune activation).

This device includes a scaffold composition which incorporates or is coated with a bioactive composition; the device regulates attraction, activation, and migration of dendritic cells. Depending on the application for which the device is designed, the device regulates attraction, activation, and/or migration of dendritic cells through the physical or chemical characteristics of the scaffold itself. For example, the scaffold composition is differentially permeable, allowing cell migration only in certain physical areas of the scaffold. The permeability of the scaffold composition is regulated, for example, by selecting or engineering a material for greater or smaller pore size, density, polymer cross-linking, stiffness, toughness, ductility, or viscoelascticity. The scaffold composition contains physical channels or paths through which cells can move more easily towards a targeted area of egress of the device or of a compartment within the device. The scaffold composition is optionally organized into compartments or layers, each with a different permeability, so that the time required for a cell to move through the device is precisely and predictably controlled. Migration is also regulated by the degradation, de- or re-hydration, oxygenation, chemical or pH alteration, or ongoing self-assembly of the scaffold composition.

Attraction, activation, and/or migration are regulated by a bioactive composition. The device controls and directs the activation and migration of cells through its structure. Chemical affinities are used to channel cells towards a specific area of egress. For example, cytokines are used to attract or retard the migration of cells. By varying the density and mixture of those bioactive substances, the device controls the timing of the migration. The density and mixture of these bioactive substances is controlled by initial doping levels or concentration gradient of the substance, by embedding the bioactive substances in scaffold material with a known leaching rate, by release as the scaffold material degrades, by diffusion from an area of concentration, by interaction of precursor chemicals diffusing into an area, or by production/excretion of compositions by resident support cells. The physical or chemical structure of the scaffold also regulates the diffusion of bioactive agents through the device.

The bioactive composition includes one or more compounds that regulate cell function and/or behavior. The bioactive composition is covalently linked to the scaffold composition or non-covalently associated with the scaffold.

Signal transduction events that participate in the process of cell migration are initiated in response to immune mediators. Thus, the device optionally contains a second bioactive composition that comprises GM-CSF, a CpG-ODN sequence, a cancer antigen, and/or an immunomodulator.

In some cases, the second bioactive composition is covalently linked to the scaffold composition, keeping the composition relatively immobilized in or on the scaffold composition. In other cases, the second bioactive composition is noncovalently associated with the scaffold. Noncovalent bonds are generally one to three orders of magnitude weaker than covalent bonds permitting diffusion of the factor out of the scaffold and into surrounding tissues. Noncovalent bonds include electrostatic, hydrogen, van der Waals, it aromatic, and hydrophobic.

The scaffold composition is biocompatible. The composition is bio-degradable/erodable or resistant to breakdown in the body. Relatively permanent (degradation resistant) scaffold compositions include metals and some polymers such as silk. Preferably, the scaffold composition degrades at a predetermined rate based on a physical parameter selected from the group consisting of temperature, pH, hydration status, and porosity, the cross-link density, type, and chemistry or the susceptibility of main chain linkages to degradation or it degrades at a predetermined rate based on a ratio of chemical polymers. For example, a high molecular weight polymer comprised of solely lactide degrades over a period of years, e.g., 1-2 years, while a low molecular weight polymer comprised of a 50:50 mixture of lactide and glycolide degrades in a matter of weeks, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10 weeks. A calcium cross-linked gels composed of high molecular weight, high guluronic acid alginate degrade over several months (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 months) to years (1, 2, 5 years) in vivo, while a gel comprised of low molecular weight alginate, and/or alginate that has been partially oxidized, will degrade in a matter of weeks.

Exemplary scaffold compositions include polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, PLGA polymers, alginates and alginate derivatives, gelatin, collagen, fibrin, hyaluronic acid, laminin rich gels, agarose, natural and synthetic polysaccharides, polyamino acids, polypeptides, polyesters, polyanhydrides, polyphosphazines, poly(vinyl alcohols), poly(alkylene oxides), poly(allylamines)(PAM), poly(acrylates), modified styrene polymers, pluronic polyols, polyoxamers, poly(uronic acids), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and copolymers or graft copolymers of any of the above. One preferred scaffold composition includes an RGD-modified alginate.

Another preferred scaffold composition a macroporous poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLG). For example, the PLG matrix includes GM-CSF, danger signals, and a target antigen, e.g., a cancer antigen and serves as a residence for recruited DCs as they are programmed. The recruitment element, GM-CSF, is encapsulated into the PLG scaffolds. PLG matrices that comprise the encapsulated GM-CSF provide a pulse of the dendritic cell recruitment composition and then a gradual slower rate of release. The pulse comprises at least 40, 50, 60, 75, 80% or more of the initial amount of bioactive composition with the remaining percent being released gradually over then next days or weeks after administration to the site in or on the subject to be treated. For example, release is approximately 60% of bioactive GM-CSF load within the first 5 days, followed by slow and sustained release of bioactive GM-CSF over the next 10 days. This release profile mediates a rate of diffusion of the factor through the surrounding tissue to effectively recruit resident DCs.

Porosity of the scaffold composition influences migration of the cells through the device. Pores are nanoporous, microporous, or macroporous. For example, the diameter of nanopores are less than about 10 nm; micropore are in the range of about 100 nm-20 μm in diameter; and, macropores are greater than about 20 μm (preferably greater than about 100 μm and even more preferably greater than about 400 μm). In one example, the scaffold is macroporous with aligned pores of about 400-500 μm in diameter.

The device is manufactured in one stage in which one layer or compartment is made and infused or coated with one or more bioactive compositions. Exemplary bioactive compositions comprise polypeptides or polynucleotides. Alternatively, the device is manufactured in two or more (3, 4, 5, 6, . . . 10 or more) stages in which one layer or compartment is made and infused or coated with one or more bioactive compositions followed by the construction of a second, third, fourth or more layers, which are in turn infused or coated with one or more bioactive compositions in sequence. Each layer or compartment is identical to the others or distinguished from one another by the number or mixture of bioactive compositions as well as distinct chemical, physical and biological properties.

A method of making a scaffold is carried out by providing a scaffold composition and covalently linking or noncovalently associating the scaffold composition with a first bioactive composition. The first bioactive composition preferably contains granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor. The scaffold composition is also contacted with a second bioactive composition, preferably one or more cytosine-guanosine oligonucleotide (CpG-ODN) sequences. The second bioactive composition is associated with the scaffold composition to yield a doped scaffold, i.e., a scaffold composition that includes one or more bioactive substances. The contacting steps are optionally repeated to yield a plurality of doped scaffolds, e.g., each of the contacting steps is characterized by a different amount of the second bioactive composition to yield a gradient of the second bioactive composition in the scaffold device. Rather than altering the amount of composition, subsequent contacting steps involve a different bioactive composition, i.e., a third, fourth, fifth, sixth . . . , composition or mixture of compositions, that is distinguished from the prior compositions or mixtures of prior doping steps by the structure or chemical formula of the factor(s). The method optionally involves adhering individual niches, layers, or components to one another and/or insertion of semi-permeable, permeable, or nonpermeable membranes within or at one or more boundaries of the device to further control/regulate locomotion of cells or bioactive compositions.

Therapeutic applications of the device include the instruction of immune cells. For example, the method includes the steps of providing a device that includes scaffold composition with a bioactive composition incorporated therein or thereon and a mammalian cell bound to the scaffold and contacting a mammalian tissue with the device, e.g., by implanting or affixing the device into or onto a mammalian tissue. At the time of administering or implanting the device, exemplary relative amounts of each component, recruiting composition (e.g., GM-CSF), danger signal (e.g., CpG-ODN), and antigen (e.g., purified tumor antigen or tumor cell lysate) are as follows: GM-CSF: 0.5 μg-500 μg; CpG-ODN: 50 μg-3,000 μg; and Tumor antigen/lysate: 100 μg-10,000 μg.

A method of modulating an activity of a cell, e.g., a host cell, is carried out by administering to a mammal a device containing a scaffold composition and a recruitment composition incorporated therein or thereon, and then contacting the cell with a deployment signal. The deployment signal induces egress of the cells from the device. The activity of the cell at egress differs from that prior to entering the device. Cells are recruited into the device and remain resident in the device for a period of time, e.g., minutes; 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 hours; 2, 4, 6, days; weeks (1-4), months (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) or years, during which the cells are exposed to structural elements and bioactive compositions that lead to a change in the activity or level of activity of the cells. The cells are contacted with or exposed to a deployment signal that induces egress of the altered (re-educated or reprogrammed) cells and the cells migrate out of the device and into surrounding tissues or remote target locations.

The deployment signal is a composition such as protein, peptide, or nucleic acid. For example, cells migrating into the device only encounter the deployment signal once they have entered the device. In some cases, the deployment signal is a nucleic acid molecule, e.g., a plasmid containing sequence encoding a protein that induces migration of the cell out of the device and into surrounding tissues. The deployment signal occurs when the cell encounters the plasmid in the device, the DNA becomes internalized in the cell (i.e., the cell is transfected), and the cell manufactures the gene product encoded by the DNA. In some cases, the molecule that signals deployment is an element of the device and is released from the device in delayed manner (e.g., temporally or spatially) relative to exposure of the cell to the recruitment composition. Alternatively, the deployment signal is a reduction in or absence of the recruitment composition. For example, a recruitment composition induces migration of cells into the device, and a reduction in the concentration or depletion, dissipation, or diffusion of the recruitment composition from the device results in egress of cells out of the device. In this manner, immune cells such as T cells, B cells, or dendritic cells (DCs) of an individual are recruited into the device, primed and activated to mount an immune response against an antigen-specific target. Optionally, an antigen corresponding to a target to which an immune response is desired is incorporated into or onto the scaffold structure. Cytokines, such as granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are also a component of the device to amplify immune activation and/or induce migration of the primed cells to lymph nodes. Other cell specific recruitment compositions are described below.

The device recruit cells in vivo, modifies these cells, and then promotes their migration to another site in the body. This approach is exemplified herein in the context of dendritic cells and cancer vaccine development but is also useful to other vaccines such as those against microbial pathogens as well as cell therapies in general. Cells educated using the devices described herein promote regeneration of a tissue or organ immediately adjacent to the material, or at some distant site. Alternatively, the cells are educated to promote destruction of a tissue (locally or at a distant site). The methods are also useful for disease prevention, e.g., to promote cell-based maintenance of tissue structure and function to stop or retard disease progression or age-related tissue changes. The education of cells within the device, “programming” and “reprogramming” permits modification of the function or activity of any cell in the body to become a multipotent stem cell again and exert therapeutic effects.

The inability of traditional and ex vivo DC-based vaccination strategies to coordinate and sustain an immune response mediated by the heterogeneous DC network in cancer patients has led to limited clinical effectiveness of these approaches. The devices and methods described herein have distinct advantages, because preferential recruitment and expansion of pDCs dramatically improves immune responses to cancer antigens and reduces tumor progression compared to previous vaccine approaches.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof, and from the claims. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the immune response to infection. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the mechanisms by which bacterial invasion and bacterial toxins damage resident skin cells promoting the production of inflammatory cytokines, including GM-CSF, and activation of dermal endothelium. Cytokine stimulation induces extravasation of leukocytes and recruits skin resident DCs (langerhans cells) and monocytes/preDCs. DCs, recruited to the site of inflammation encounter and injest bacterium and bacterial products including antigenic molecules and CpG-rich DNA, which stimulates TLR9 activation. As a result of TLR ligation and the inflammatory conditions, the DC rapidly matures to upregulate its expression of MHC-antigen complexes, costimulatory molecules, and CCR7 and begins to home to the lymph nodes where it initiates and propagates antigen specific T-cell responses.

FIGS. 2A-C. FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of PEI condensation of CpG-rich oligonucleotide sequences. The PEI polycation with positively charged amine groups is mixed with CpG-ODNs consisting of negatively charged phosphate groups at charge ratios (NH3+:PO4−) resulting in positively charged PEI-CpG-ODN condensates. FIG. 2B is a bar graph showing the zeta potential (my) of CpG-ODN 1826 and its PEI condensates at charge ratios of 4.7 and 15. Box plots represent the mean and standard deviation (n=4) FIG. 2C is a bar graph showing the particle size of CpG-ODN 1826 and its PEI condensates at charge ratios of 4.7 and 15. Values represent the average particle size and the standard deviation (n=4).

FIGS. 3A-D. FIGS. A-C show in vitro uptake of CpG-ODN by JAWSII DCs. FIGS. 3A-B are bright field images of cells and their corresponding fluorescent images displaying the uptake of TAMRA labeled CpG-ODN molecules (A) or PEI-CpG-ODN condensates (B). FIG. 3C is a bar graph showing quantification of uptake of naked (-o-) and PEI-CpG-ODN (-●-) condensates over a period of 110 hours. FIG. 3D is a line graph showing quantification of uptake of PEI-CpG-ODN condensates and subsequent decondensation within JAWSII DCs. The number of PEI-CpGODN condensates in the cells (-▪-), and the amount of uncondensed CpG-ODN (-□-) was monitored and quantified over a period of 70 hours. Scale bar—20 μm. Values in C (n>10 cells) and D (n>7 cells) represent the mean and standard deviation.

FIGS. 4A-D. (A) Imaging DC activation. FIG. 4A is a series of brightfield images of activated DC morphology in correlation with fluorescent images displaying the uptake of TAMRA labeled CpG-ODN molecules condensed with PEI (charge ratio −7). FIG. 4B is a series of FACS histograms of JawsII DCs positive for the activation markers CD86, MHCII and CCR7 following no stimulation (tinted line), CpG-ODN ( - - - ), and PEI-CpG-ODN condensates (-). FIG. 4C is a chart showing tabulated data displaying the percentage of DCs positive for the activation markers CD86, MHCII, and CCR7 following no stimulation, and stimulation with TNF-α/LPS or CpG-ODN or PEI-CpG-ODN. FIG. 4D is a bar graph showing CpG-ODN and DC emigration toward CCL19. The effects of no stimulation (▪), and PEI (▪) or CpG-ODN (▪) or PEI-CpG-ODN (▪) stimulation on DC emigration from the top wells of transwell systems toward media supplemented with 300 ng/ml CCL19. Migration counts taken at 24 hours. Scale bar—20 μm. Values in C and D (n=4) represent the mean and standard deviation. CpG-ODN activation media (5 μg/ml). *P<0.05**P<0.01.

FIGS. 5A-B. FIG. 5A is a series of bar graphs showing the percentage of JawsII DCs positive for MHCII and CCR7 expression after PEI-CpG-ODN (5 μg/ml) stimulation in media supplemented with 0 (□), 50 (▪) and 500 ng/ml GM-CSF (▪). FIG. 5B is a line graph showing CpG-ODN and DC emigration toward CCL19 in the presence of GM-CSF. The effects of no stimulation (-▪-), and stimulation with PEI ( - - - ) or CpG-ODN (-●-) or PEI-CpG-ODN (-●-) on DC emigration from the top wells of transwell systems toward media supplemented with 300 ng/ml CCL19. Migration counts taken at 24 hours. Values represent the mean and standard deviation (n=4).

FIGS. 6A-C. FIG. 6A is a line graph showing the fraction of PEI-CpG-ODN condensates retained in PLG matrices over time with incubation in PBS in vitro. FIGS. 6B-C are bar graphs showing emigration of JAWS II DCs from CpG-ODN loaded scaffolds. (B) The total number of DCs that migrated from scaffolds loaded with 5, 50, 500 μg of CpG-ODN toward media supplemented with 300 ng/ml CCL19. (C) The total number of DCs that migrated from scaffolds loaded with 25 μg of CpG-ODN in the presence of 500 ng/ml GM-CSF toward media supplemented with 300 ng/ml CCL19. Migration counts taken at 48 hours. Values represent mean and standard deviation (n=4 or 5).

FIGS. 7A-B. PLG-based infection mimics continuously program DCs in situ. FIG. 7a is a chart showing the tabulated data of host DC recruitment (cell #) and DC activation (% expressing MHC or CCR7) in response to various dosages of PEI-CpG-ODN and GM-CSF loaded into PLG matrices. Matrices were implanted into the backs of C57/BL6J mice for 7 days. FIG. 7B is a bar graph showing the number of CD11c(+)MHCII(+) and CD11c(+)CCR7(+) host DCs isolated from matrices loaded with PEI-ODN control, 10 μg PEI-CpG-ODN, 400 and 3000 ng GM-CSF, and 400 and 3000 ng GM-CSF in combination with 10 μg PEI-CpG-ODN at Day 7 after implantation into the backs of C57/BL6J mice. Values represent the mean and standard deviation (n=3-5). *P<0.05**P<0.01.

FIGS. 8A-D. Infection mimics continuously disperse programmed DCs in situ. FIG. 8a is a bar graph showing the number of FITC(+) DCs that have homed to the inguinal lymph nodes as a function of time subsequent to their residence at FITC painted blank matrices (-□-), FITC painted GM-CSF loaded matrices (-▪-), and FITC painted GM-CSF and CpG-ODN matrices (-▪-). GM-CSF dose was 3000 ng and CPG-ODN dose was 10 μg. FIG. 8B is a digital photograph of inguinal lymph nodes extracted from C57BL/6J mice (control) and at 10 days after the implantation of matrices incorporating 10 μg CpG-ODN+3000 ng GM-CSF (infection-mimic) FIGS. 8C-D are bar graphs showing the total number of cells (C) and CD11c+DCs (D) isolated from inguinal lymph nodes extracted from C57BL/6J mice at 2 and 7 days after the implantation of blank matrices (□) and matrices incorporating 3000 ng GM-CSF (▪) or 10 μg CpG-ODN+3000 ng GM-CSF (▪). Values in A, C and D represent the mean and standard deviation (n=4 or 5). *P<0.05**P<0.01.

FIG. 9 is a bar graph showing infection-mimicking microenvironment confers potent anti-tumor immunity. The time to tumor occurrence after PLG cancer vaccines were implanted into mice. A comparison between blank PLG scaffolds (Blank), scaffolds loaded with antigen alone (Lys), antigen+3000 ng GM-CSF (Lys+3000 ng GMCSF), antigen+PEI-CpG-ODN condensate (Lys+CpG) and the combination of antigen, 3000 ng GM-CSF and PEI-CpG-ODN (Lys+3000 ng+PEI-CpG-ODN). Animals were also immunized using a cell-based vaccine (cell-based) using irradiated B16-F10 melanoma cells that had been genetically modified to produce GM-CSF, for comparison. At Day 14 after vaccination, C57BL/6J mice were challenged with 10⁵ B16-F10 melanoma tumor cells and monitored for the onset of tumor occurrence (n=9 or 10).

FIGS. 10A-B. Vaccination efficacy of Infection mimics dependent on T cell responses. FIG. 10A is a series of representative photomicrographs of tumor sections from mice vaccinated with PLG cancer vaccines that appropriately control the presentation of tumor lysates, 3000 ng GM-CSF and CpG-ODN and blank (blank) scaffold controls. Sections were stained to detect for CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell infiltrates into tumor tissue that was explanted from mice that had developed tumors at days 20-25. FIG. 10B is a bar graph showing T-cell infiltrates into B16-F10 melanoma tumors of vaccinated animals. Tumors were explanted from C57BL/6J mice treated with blank PLG scaffolds (□), or PLG scaffolds incorporating B16-F10 melanoma tumor lysates, 3000 ng GM-CSF and 10 μg PEI-CpG-ODN (▪) at days 20-25. T-cell infiltrates were examined in randomized sections of tumors (n=4, 1 mm³) Scale bar—50 μm. Values in A, D and E represent the mean and standard deviation (n=3 or 4). *P<0.05**P<0.01.

FIGS. 11 A-F. In vivo control of DC recruitment and programming. FIG. 11A is a line graph showing cumulative release of GM-CSF from PLG matrices over a period of 23 days. FIG. 11B is a photograph showing H&E staining of sectioned PLG scaffolds explanted from subcutaneous pockets in the backs of C57BL/6J mice after 14 days: Blank scaffolds, and GM-CSF (3000 ng) loaded scaffolds. FIG. 11c is a series of FACS plots of cells isolated from explanted scaffolds and stained for the DC markers, CD11c and CD86. Cells were isolated from blank and GM-CSF (3000 ng) loaded scaffolds implanted for 28 days. Numbers in FACS plots indicate the percentage of the cell population positive for both markers. FIG. 11D is a bar graph showing the fractional increase in CD11c(+)CD86(+) DCs isolated from PLG scaffolds at day 14 after implantation in response to doses of 1000, 3000 and 7000 ng of GM-CSF, as normalized to the blank control (Blanks). FIG. 11E is a line graph showing the in vivo concentration profiles of GM-CSF at the implant site of PLG scaffolds incorporating 0 (-), 3000 (-◯-), and 7000 ng (-●-) of GM-CSF as a function of time post implantation. FIG. 11F is a bar graph showing the percentage of CD11c(+)CCR7(+) host DCs isolated from scaffolds loaded with 0 (□), 400 (▪), 3000 ng (▪), and 7000 ng of GM-CSF (

) as a function of time after implantation into the backs of C57BL/6J mice. Scale bar in B—500 μm. Values in A, D, E, and F represent mean and standard deviation (n=4 or 5). *P<0.05 **P<0.01.

FIGS. 12 A-G. Antigen co-presentation with CpG-ODN to DCs infiltrating PLG matrices enhances local CD8+ cDC numbers, IL-12 production and total CD8(+) cell numbers. The number of (FIG. 12A) plasmacytoid DCs, (B) CD11c(+)CD11b(+) cDCs, and (FIG. 12C) CD11c(+)CD8(+) cDCs at day 10 post-implantation in blank matrices (Blanks) and in response to doses of 3000 ng GM-CSF (GM) or 100 μg CpG-ODN (CpG) alone or in combination (CpG+GM) or co-presented with tumor lysates (GM+Ant, CpG+Ant and CpG+GM+Ant). The in vivo concentration of (FIG. 12D) IFN-α (E) IFN-γ and (FIG. 12F) IL-12 at day 10 post-implantation in blank matrices (Blanks) and in response to doses of 3000 ng GM-CSF (GM) or 100 μg CpG-ODN (CpG) alone or in combination (CpG+GM) or co-presented with tumor lysates (GM+Ant, CpG+Ant and CpG+GM+Ant). (FIG. 12G). FACS histograms of CD8(+) cells infiltrating Blank PLG matrices ( - - - ), and matrices loaded with 3000 ng GM-CSF and 100 μg CpG-ODN alone ( - - - ) or with tumor antigens (tinted line). Values in A-F represent mean and standard deviation (n=4 or 5). *P<0.05 **P<0.01.

FIGS. 13A-F. Tumor protection regulated by CpG-ODN presentation and plasmacytoid DC enrichment. Survival times of mice vaccinated with PLG vaccines 14 days prior to B16-F10 melanoma tumor challenge. (FIG. 13A) shows a comparison of survival times in mice vaccinated with PLG matrices loaded with tumor lysates and 1, 10, 50 or 100 μg of CpG-ODN. FIG. 13B shows a comparison of survival times in mice vaccinated with PLG matrices loaded with tumor lysates, 3000 ng GM-CSF and 1, 10, 50 or 100 μg of CpG-ODN. A correlation between the number of (FIG. 13C) CD11c(+)PDCA-1(+) DCs, (FIG. 13D) CD11c(+)CD11b(+) DCs, and (FIG. 13E) CD11c(+)CD8(+) cDCs at the PLG vaccine site at day 10 and the percent of animals surviving B16-F10 melanoma tumor challenge at Day 100. FIG. 13F shows the fraction of total DC population consisting of CD11c(+)CD11b(+) cDCs, CD11c(+)PDCA-1(+) pDCs, and CD11c(+)CD8(+) cDCs generated at the PLG vaccine site at day 10. Survival percentage is taken at Day 100 after challenge with B16-F10 melanoma cells.

FIGS. 14A-B are line graphs showing PLG vaccine efficacy against established tumors. FIG. 14A shows a comparison of the survival time in C57BL/6 mice treated with blank PLG scaffolds, and PLG vaccines (3 μg GM-CSF+100 μg CpG-ODN+ tumor lysates). FIG. 14B shows a comparison of tumor growth in C57BL/6 mice treated with blank PLG scaffolds, and PLG vaccines (3 μg GM-CSF+100 μg CpG-ODN+ tumor lysates). Mice were inoculated with 5×10⁵ B16-F10 melanoma tumor cells at Day 0 and tumors were allowed to grow for 7 days when mice were either implanted with blank PLG matrices or PLG vaccine. The average tumor size was expressed as one-half the product of the smallest and largest diameter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Cancer vaccines typically depend on cumbersome and expensive manipulation of cells in the laboratory, and subsequent cell transplantation leads to poor lymph node homing and limited efficacy. The invention solves these problems by using materials that mimic key aspects of bacterial infection to directly control immune cell trafficking and activation in the body. Polymers were designed to first release a cytokine to recruit and house host dendritic cells (DCs), and subsequently present cancer antigens and danger signals to activate the resident DCs and dramatically enhance their homing to lymph nodes. Specific and protective anti-tumor immunity was generated with these materials, as 90% survival was achieved in animals that otherwise die from cancer within 25 days. These materials are useful in cancer and other vaccines to program and control the trafficking of a variety of cell types in the body.

A polymer system was designed to not only serve as a drug delivery device, but also as a physical, antigen-presenting structure to which the DCs are recruited, and where DCs reside while they are activated using a material (polyflactide-co-glycolidel) and bioactive molecules (GM-CSF and CpG-ODN). These bioactive molecules have excellent safety profiles. The material system serves as an effective cancer vaccine, eliminating the time, expense and regulatory burden inherent to existing cell therapies and reducing or eliminating the need for multiple, systemic injections and high total drug loading. The devices described herein utilize infection-mimicking materials to program DCs in situ.

A quantitative understanding of the ability of GM-CSF to impact DC recruitment, activation and emigration in vitro was developed in order to appropriately design a material system for vaccination. GM-CSF enhanced DC recruitment and proliferation in a dose dependent manner. However, high concentrations (>100 ng/ml) of GM-CSF inhibited DC migration toward a lymph node derived chemoattractant (CCL19) Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the high concentrations of GM-CSF (500 ng/ml) also down-regulated DC expression of the CCL19 receptor CCR7 and MHCII. These results indicated that control over GM-CSF exposure was needed to both recruit and program DCs in vivo. If GM-CSF alone is to be used for both purposes, its local concentration is designed to decrease over time in order to release DCs that become trapped in the material. Alternatively, provision of a danger signal (e.g., CpG-ODN) in the local environment is used to release DCs from GM-CSF inhibition once they reside at the infection-mimicking site.

Based on this understanding, a macroporous poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLG) matrix was designed to present GM-CSF, danger signals, and cancer antigens in a defined spatiotemporal manner in vivo, and serve as a residence for recruited DCs as they are programmed GM-CSF was encapsulated (54% efficiency) into PLG scaffolds using a high pressure CO₂ foaming process. These matrices released approximately 60% of their bioactive GM-CSF load within the first 5 days, followed by slow and sustained release of bioactive GM-CSF over the next 10 days. This release profile allows diffusion of the factor through the surrounding tissue to effectively recruit resident DCs.

Infammatory Mediators

Dendritic Cell (DC) proliferation, migration and maturation are sensitive to inflammatory mediators, and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been identified as a potent stimulator of immune responses, specifically against cancer antigens. GM-CSF also has the ability to recruit and program these antigen-presenting immune cells. Additionally, Cytosine-guanosine (CpG) oligonucleotide (CpG-ODN) sequences found in bacterial DNA are potent immunomodulators that stimulate DC activation, leading to specific T-cell responses. Creating an infection mimicking microenvironment by the presentation of exogenous GM-CSF and CpG-ODN provides an avenue to precisely control the number and timing of DC migration and modulate antigen specific immune responses.

The vertebrate immune system employs various mechanisms for pathogen recognition making it adept at generating antigen-specific responses and clearing infection. Immunity is controlled by antigen presenting cells (APCs), especially dendritic cells (DCs), which capture antigens and are activated by stimuli, unique ‘danger signals’ of the invading pathogen, such as CpG dinucleotide sequences in bacterial DNA (Banchereau J, and Steinman R M. Nature. 392, 245-252. (1998); Klinman D M. Nat. Rev. Immunol. 4, 249-58 (2004); each herein incorporated by reference).

However, cancerous cells, derived from self-tissues, are void of the danger signals required to signal DC maturation and instead promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment that allows cells to escape immunity. Key elements of infection are inflammatory cytokines and danger signals (FIG. 1). A polymeric material system is ideal to present these factors in the required spatiotemporal manner to provide an infection-mimicking microenvironment in situ that useful as a vaccine. These infection mimics provide the continuous programming of host DCs, providing for efficient DC activation and dispersement in situ. These infection-mimicking devices are used for numerous vaccine applications including melanoma cancer vaccines.

In many infections, inflammatory cytokines and danger signals stimulate specific DC responses that mediate immune recognition and pathogen clearance (FIG. 1). For example, upon bacterial invasion and release of toxins, skin cells such as fibroblasts, keratinocytes and melanocytes are damaged resulting in the release of inflammatory cytokines, such as GM-CSF (Hamilton J. Trends in Immunol. 23, 403-408. (2002); Hamilton J., and Anderson G. Growth Factors. 22(4), 225-231. (2004); each herein incorporated by reference), that act to recruit Langerhans D C (skin) and DC precursors (monocytes; blood) (Hamilton J. Trends in Immunol. 23, 403-408. (2002); Hamilton J., and Anderson G. Growth Factors. 22(4), 225-231. (2004); Bowne W. B., et al. Cytokines Cell Mol Ther. 5(4), 217-25. (1999); Dranoff, G. Nat. Rev. Cancer 4, 11-22 (2004); each herein incorporated by reference). As DCs arrive to the site of infection they begin to differentiate, and increase in phagocytic ability in response to the inflammation (Mellman I, and Steinman R M Cell. 106, 255-258. (2001), herein incorporated by reference), and DCs that ingest bacteria or their products begin to process antigens and DC maturation proceeds via endosomal TLR9 signaling stimulated by CpG dinucleotide sequences in bacterial DNA (Krieg A. M., Hartmann G., and Weiner G. J. CpG DNA: A potent signal for growth, activation, and maturation of human dendritic cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 16, 9305-9310 (1999), herein incorporated by reference). Mature DCs then home to the lymph nodes where they prime antigen specific T-cell responses that clear infection.

CpG-ODNs are potent “danger signals” that upregulate DC expression of CCR7, CD80/86 costimulatory molecules, and MHC-antigen complexes. Importantly, TLR9 signaling induces DCs into promoting Th1-like, cytotoxic—Tcell responses, by cytokine production (e.g. type 1 IFN) and cross-presentation of antigen onto MHCI molecules. The presentation of these signals concurrently with tumor antigens provides the danger signal needed to promote immune responses that effectively fight cancerous cells.

Different classes of CPG-ODNs promote different immune responses depending on the ODN's specific structure and sequence. The ODN utilized in the present invention, CpG-ODN 1826, has been successfully tested in various mouse vaccination models, including melanoma. CpG-ODN 1826 has shown a beneficial effect alone or when used as adjuvant for peptide vaccines and whole cell vaccines. Moreover, ODN 1826 has been shown to directly promote DC maturation and cytokine production. This particular CpG ODN sequence also indirectly activates Th1 cells and NK cells and, thus, enhances adaptive cellular immune responses.

Vector systems that promote CpG internalization into DCs to enhance delivery and its localization to TLR9 have been developed. The amine-rich polycation, polyethylenimine (PEI) has been extensively used to condense plasmid DNA, via association with DNA phosphate groups, resulting in small, positively charge condensates facilitating cell membrane association and DNA uptake into cells (Godbey W. T., Wu K. K., and Mikos, A. G. J. of Biomed Mater Res, 1999, 45, 268-275; Godbey W. T., Wu K. K., and Mikos, A. G. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 96(9), 5177-81. (1999); each herein incorporated by reference). Consequently, PEI has been utilized as a non-viral vector to enhance gene transfection and to fabricate PEI-DNA loaded PLG matrices that promoted long-term gene expression in host cells in situ (Huang Y C, Riddle F, Rice K G, and Mooney D J. Hum Gene Ther. 5, 609-17. (2005), herein incorporated by reference). Therefore, CpG-ODNs were condensed with PEI molecules, and the size and charge of these PEI-CpG-ODN condensates, as dependent on the amine-phosphate charge ratio, was characterized. The ability of PEI condensation to enhance DC internalization of CpG-ODN was assessed, and the subsequent decondensation of PEI-CpG-ODN within DCs and its promotion of DC activation was analyzed in vitro. To determine whether PEI-CpG-ODNs had the potential to improve upon the vaccination effects of the GM-CSF based system described in chapter 3, its stimulatory effects on DCs maturation and mobilization in the presence of GM-CSF was also examined.

To appropriately mimic infection and program cells in situ a PLG system was designed to not only serve as a drug delivery device, that releases inflammatory cytokines (eg. GM-CSF) but also as a physical structure to which the DCs are recruited and reside while they are activated by danger signals (eg. CpG-ODNs). The ability to control DC recruitment to and DC residence within porous PLG matrices is achieved using temporal control over the delivery of GM-CSF in situ, which results in batches of programmed DCs being dispersed only when GM-CSF levels were designed to subside in situ. This system dispersed 6% of programmed DCs to the lymph nodes and induced protective anti-tumor immunity in 23% of mice when applied as a cancer vaccine. The cell programming and dispersement efficiency is improved using an overriding secondary signal (CpG-ODN) that continuously releases DCs from GM-CSF inhibition and promotes DC maturation and dispersement in the presence of high GM-CSF levels in situ. Specifically, PLG matrices were fabricated to locally present synthetic CpG-ODN with exogenous GM-CSF allowing for DCs recruited by GM-CSF to be stimulated by CpG-ODN in situ.

Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are immune cells within the mammalian immune system and are derived from hematopoietic bone marrow progenitor cells. More specifically, dendritic cells can be categorized into lymphoid (or plasmacytoid) dendritic cell (pDC) and myeloid dendritic cell (mDC) subdivisions having arisen from a lymphoid (or plasmacytoid) or myeloid precursor cell, respectively. From the progenitor cell, regardless of the progenitor cell type, an immature dendritic cell is born. Immature dendritic cells are characterized by high endocytic activity and low T-cell activation potential. Thus, immature dendritic cells constitutively sample their immediate surrounding environment for pathogens. Exemplary pathogens include, but are not limited to, a virus or a bacteria. Sampling is accomplished by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as the toll-like receptors (TLRs). Dendritic cells activate and mature once a pathogen is recognized by a pattern recognition receptor, such as a toll-like receptor.

Mature dendritic cells not only phagocytose pathogens and break them down, but also, degrade their proteins, and present pieces of these proteins, also referred to as antigens, on their cell surfaces using MHC (Major Histocompatibility Complex) molecules (Classes I, II, and III). Mature dendritic cells also upregulate cell-surface receptors that serve as co-receptors for T-cell activation. Exemplary co-receptors include, but are not limited to, CD80, CD86, and CD40. Simultaneously, mature dendritic cells upregulate chemotactic receptors, such as CCR7, that allows the cell to migrate through the blood stream or the lymphatic system to the spleen or lymph node, respectively.

Dendritic cells are present in external tissues that are in contact with the external environment such as the skin (dendritic cells residing in skin are also referred to as Langerhans cells). Alternatively, dendritic cells are present in internal tissues that are in contact with the external environment such as linings of the nose, lungs, stomach, and intestines. Finally, immature dendritic cells reside in the blood stream. Once activated, dendritic cells from all off these tissues migrate to lymphoid tissues where they present antigens and interact with T cells and B cells to initiate an immune response. One signaling system of particular importance for the present invention involves the chemokine receptor CCR7 expressed on the surface of dendritic cells and the chemokine receptor ligand CCL19 secreted by lymph node structures to attract migrating mature dendritic cells toward high concentrations of immune cells. Exemplary immune cells activated by contact with mature dendritic cells include, but are not limited to, helper T cells, killer T cells, and B cells. Although multiple cell types within the immune system present antigens, including macrophages and B lymphocytes, dendritic cells are the most potent activators of all antigen-presenting cells.

Dendritic cells earned their name from the characteristic cell shape comprising multiple dendrites extending from the cell body. The functional benefit of this cell shape is a significantly increased cell surface and contact area to the surroundings compared to the cell volume. Immature dendritic cells sometimes lack the characteristic dendrite formations and are referred to as veiled cells. Veiled cells possess large cytoplasmic veils rather than dendrites.

Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs)

TLRs are a class of single transmembrane domain, non-catalytic, receptors that recognize structurally conserved molecules referred to as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). PAMPs are present on microbes and are distinguishable from host molecules. TLRs are present in all vertebrates. Thirteen TLRs (referred to as TLRs1-13, consecutively) have been identified in humans and mice. Humans comprise TLRs 1-10.

TLRs and interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptors comprise a receptor superfamily the members of which all share a TIR domain (Toll-IL-1 receptor). TIR domains exist in three varieties with three distinct functions. TIR domains of subgroup 1 are present in receptors for interleukins produced by macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells. TIR domains of subgroup 2 are present in classical TLRs which bind directly or indirectly to molecules of microbial origin. TIR domains of subgroup 3 are present in cytosolic adaptor proteins that mediate signaling between proteins comprising TIR domains of subgroups 1 and 2.

TLR ligands comprise molecules that are constantly associated with and highly specific for a threat to the host's survival such as a pathogen or cellular stress. TLR ligands are highly specific for pathogens and not the host. Exemplary pathogenic molecules include, but are not limited to, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), lipoproteins, lipoarabinomannan, flagellin, double-stranded RNA, and unmethylated CpG islands of DNA.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Toll-Like receptor 9 (TLR9) is activated by specific unmethylated CpG-containing sequences in bacterial DNA or synthetic oligonucleotides (ODNs) found in the endosomal compartment of dendritic cells. Methylation status of the CpG site is a crucial distinction between bacterial and mammalian DNA, as well as between normal and cancerous tissue. Unmethylated ODNs including one or more CpG motifs mimic the effects of bacterial DNA. Alternatively, or in addition, unmethylated ODNs including one or more CpG motifs occur within oncogenes present within malignant tumor cells.

One or more sequences of the TLR-9 receptor recognizes one or more CpG-ODN sequences of the present invention. TLR-9 receptors encompassed by the present invention are described by the following sequences.

Human TLR-9, isoform A, is encoded by the following mRNA sequence (NCBI Accession No. NM_017442 and SEQ ID NO: 1; the start codon for all mRNA sequences presented herein is bolded and capitalized):

   1 ggaggtcttg tttccggaag atgttgcaag gctgtggtga aggcaggtgc agcctagcct   61 cctgctcaag ctacaccctg gccctccacg catgaggccc tgcagaactc tggagatggt  121 gcctacaagg gcagaaaagg acaagtcggc agccgctgtc ctgagggcac cagctgtggt  181 gcaggagcca agacctgagg gtggaagtgt cctcttagaa tggggagtgc ccagcaaggt  241 gtacccgcta ctggtgctat ccagaattcc catctctccc tgctctctgc ctgagctctg  301 ggccttagct cctccctggg cttggtagag gacaggtgtg aggccctcat gggatgtagg  361 ctgtctgaga ggggagtgga aagaggaagg ggtgaaggag ctgtctgcca tttgactatg  421 caaatggcct ttgactcatg ggaccctgtc ctcctcactg ggggcagggt ggagtggagg  481 gggagctact aggctggtat aaaaatctta cttcctctat tctctgagcc gctgctgccc  541 ctgtgggaag ggacctcgag tgtgaagcat ccttccctgt agctgctgtc cagtctgccc  601 gccagaccct ctggagaagc ccctgccccc cagcATGggt ttctgccgca gcgccctgca  661 cccgctgtct ctcctggtgc aggccatcat gctggccatg accctggccc tgggtacctt  721 gcctgccttc ctaccctgtg agctccagcc ccacggcctg gtgaactgca actggctgtt  781 cctgaagtct gtgccccact tctccatggc agcaccccgt ggcaatgtca ccagcctttc  841 cttgtcctcc aaccgcatcc accacctcca tgattctgac tttgcccacc tgcccagcct  901 gcggcatctc aacctcaagt ggaactgccc gccggttggc ctcagcccca tgcacttccc  961 ctgccacatg accatcgagc ccagcacctt cttggctgtg cccaccctgg aagagctaaa 1021 cctgagctac aacaacatca tgactgtgcc tgcgctgccc aaatccctca tatccctgtc 1081 cctcagccat accaacatcc tgatgctaga ctctgccagc ctcgccggcc tgcatgccct 1141 gcgcttccta ttcatggacg gcaactgtta ttacaagaac ccctgcaggc aggcactgga 1201 ggtggccccg ggtgccctcc ttggcctggg caacctcacc cacctgtcac tcaagtacaa 1261 caacctcact gtggtgcccc gcaacctgcc ttccagcctg gagtatctgc tgttgtccta 1321 caaccgcatc gtcaaactgg cgcctgagga cctggccaat ctgaccgccc tgcgtgtgct 1381 cgatgtgggc ggaaattgcc gccgctgcga ccacgctccc aacccctgca tggagtgccc 1441 tcgtcacttc ccccagctac atcccgatac cttcagccac ctgagccgtc ttgaaggcct 1501 ggtgttgaag gacagttctc tctcctggct gaatgccagt tggttccgtg ggctgggaaa 1561 cctccgagtg ctggacctga gtgagaactt cctctacaaa tgcatcacta aaaccaaggc 1621 cttccagggc ctaacacagc tgcgcaagct taacctgtcc ttcaattacc aaaagagggt 1681 gtcctttgcc cacctgtctc tggccccttc cttcgggagc ctggtcgccc tgaaggagct 1741 ggacatgcac ggcatcttct tccgctcact cgatgagacc acgctccggc cactggcccg 1801 cctgcccatg ctccagactc tgcgtctgca gatgaacttc atcaaccagg cccagctcgg 1861 catcttcagg gccttccctg gcctgcgcta cgtggacctg tcggacaacc gcatcagcgg 1921 agcttcggag ctgacagcca ccatggggga ggcagatgga ggggagaagg tctggctgca 1981 gcctggggac cttgctccgg ccccagtgga cactcccagc tctgaagact tcaggcccaa 2041 ctgcagcacc ctcaacttca ccttggatct gtcacggaac aacctggtga ccgtgcagcc 2101 ggagatgttt gcccagctct cgcacctgca gtgcctgcgc ctgagccaca actgcatctc 2161 gcaggcagtc aatggctccc agttcctgcc gctgaccggt ctgcaggtgc tagacctgtc 2221 ccacaataag ctggacctct accacgagca ctcattcacg gagctaccac gactggaggc 2281 cctggacctc agctacaaca gccagccctt tggcatgcag ggcgtgggcc acaacttcag 2341 cttcgtggct cacctgcgca ccctgcgcca cctcagcctg gcccacaaca acatccacag 2401 ccaagtgtcc cagcagctct gcagtacgtc gctgcgggcc ctggacttca gcggcaatgc 2461 actgggccat atgtgggccg agggagacct ctatctgcac ttcttccaag gcctgagcgg 2521 tttgatctgg ctggacttgt cccagaaccg cctgcacacc ctcctgcccc aaaccctgcg 2581 caacctcccc aagagcctac aggtgctgcg tctccgtgac aattacctgg ccttctttaa 2641 gtggtggagc ctccacttcc tgcccaaact ggaagtcctc gacctggcag gaaaccagct 2701 gaaggccctg accaatggca gcctgcctgc tggcacccgg ctccggaggc tggatgtcag 2761 ctgcaacagc atcagcttcg tggcccccgg cttcttttcc aaggccaagg agctgcgaga 2821 gctcaacctt agcgccaacg ccctcaagac agtggaccac tcctggtttg ggcccctggc 2881 gagtgccctg caaatactag atgtaagcgc caaccctctg cactgcgcct gtggggcggc 2941 ctttatggac ttcctgctgg aggtgcaggc tgccgtgccc ggtctgccca gccgggtgaa 3001 gtgtggcagt ccgggccagc tccagggcct cagcatcttt gcacaggacc tgcgcctctg 3061 cctggatgag gccctctcct gggactgttt cgccctctcg ctgctggctg tggctctggg 3121 cctgggtgtg cccatgctgc atcacctctg tggctgggac ctctggtact gcttccacct 3181 gtgcctggcc tggcttccct ggcgggggcg gcaaagtggg cgagatgagg atgccctgcc 3241 ctacgatgcc ttcgtggtct tcgacaaaac gcagagcgca gtggcagact gggtgtacaa 3301 cgagcttcgg gggcagctgg aggagtgccg tgggcgctgg gcactccgcc tgtgcctgga 3361 ggaacgcgac tggctgcctg gcaaaaccct ctttgagaac ctgtgggcct cggtctatgg 3421 cagccgcaag acgctgtttg tgctggccca cacggaccgg gtcagtggtc tcttgcgcgc 3481 cagcttcctg ctggcccagc agcgcctgct ggaggaccgc aaggacgtcg tggtgctggt 3541 gatcctgagc cctgacggcc gccgctcccg ctatgtgcgg ctgcgccagc gcctctgccg 3601 ccagagtgtc ctcctctggc cccaccagcc cagtggtcag cgcagcttct gggcccagct 3661 gggcatggcc ctgaccaggg acaaccacca cttctataac cggaacttct gccagggacc 3721 cacggccgaa tagccgtgag ccggaatcct gcacggtgcc acctccacac tcacctcacc 3781 tctgcctgcc tggtctgacc ctcccctgct cgcctccctc accccacacc tgacacagag 3841 caggcactca ataaatgcta ccgaaggc

Human TLR-9, isoform A, is encoded by the following amino acid sequence (NCBI Accession No. NP_059138 and SEQ ID NO: 2):

MGFCRSALHPLSLLVQAIMLAMTLALGTLPAFLPCELQPHGLVNCNWLFL KSVPHFSMAAPRGNVTSLSLSSNRIHHLHDSDFAHLPSLRHLNLKWNCPP VGLSPMHFPCHMTIEPSTFLAVPTLEELNLSYNNIMTVPALPKSLISLSL SHTNILMLDSASLAGLHALRFLFMDGNCYYKNPCRQALEVAPGALLGLGN LTHLSLKYNNLTVVPRNLPSSLEYLLLSYNRIVKLAPEDLANLTALRVLD VGGNCRRCDHAPNPCMECPRHFPQLHPDTFSHLSRLEGLVLKDSSLSWLN ASWFRGLGNLRVLDLSENFLYKCITKTKAFQGLTQLRKLNLSFNYQKRVS FAHLSLAPSFGSLVALKELDMHGIFFRSLDETTLRPLARLPMLQTLRLQM NFINQAQLGIFRAFPGLRYVDLSDNRISGASELTATMGEADGGEKVWLQP GDLAPAPVDTPSSEDFRPNCSTLNFTLDLSRNNLVTVQPEMFAQLSHLQC LRLSHNCISQAVNGSQFLPLTGLQVLDLSHNKLDLYHEHSFTELPRLEAL DLSYNSQPFGMQGVGHNFSFVAHLRTLRHLSLAHNNIHSQVSQQLCSTSL RALDFSGNALGHMWAEGDLYLHFFQGLSGLIWLDLSQNRLHTLLPQTLRN LPKSLQVLRLRDNYLAFFKWWSLHFLPKLEVLDLAGNQLKALTNGSLPAG TRLRRLDVSCNSISFVAPGFFSKAKELRELNLSANALKTVDHSWFGPLAS ALQILDVSANPLHCACGAAFMDFLLEVQAAVPGLPSRVKCGSPGQLQGLS IFAQDLRLCLDEALSWDCFALSLLAVALGLGVPMLHHLCGWDLWYCFHLC LAWLPWRGRQSGRDEDALPYDAFVVFDKTQSAVADWVYNELRGQLEECRG RWALRLCLEERDWLPGKTLFENLWASVYGSRKTLFVLAHTDRVSGLLRAS FLLAQQRLLEDRKDVVVLVILSPDGRRSRYVRLRQRLCRQSVLLWPHQPS GQRSFWAQLGMALTRDNHHFYNRNFCQGPTAE Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF)

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a protein secreted by macrophages, T cells, mast cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Specifically, GM-CSF is a cytokine that functions as a white blood cell growth factor. GM-CSF stimulates stem cells to produce granulocytes and monocytes. Monocytes exit the blood stream, migrate into tissue, and subsequently mature into macrophages.

Scaffold devices described herein comprise and release GM-CSF polypeptides to attract host DCs to the device. Contemplated GM-CSF polypeptides are isolated from endogenous sources or synthesized in vivo or in vitro. Endogenous GM-CSF polypeptides are isolated from healthy human tissue. Synthetic GM-CSF polypeptides are synthesized in vivo following transfection or transformation of template DNA into a host organism or cell, e.g. a mammal or cultured human cell line. Alternatively, synthetic GM-CSF polypeptides are synthesized in vitro by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or other art-recognized methods Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F., and Maniatis, T., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, NY, Vol. 1, 2, 3 (1989), herein incorporated by reference).

GM-CSF polypeptides are modified to increase protein stability in vivo. Alternatively, GM-CSF polypeptides are engineered to be more or less immunogenic. Endogenous mature human GM-CSF polypeptides are glycosylated, reportedly, at amino acid residues 23 (leucine), 27 (asparagine), and 39 (glutamic acid) (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,627). GM-CSF polypeptides of the present invention are modified at one or more of these amino acid residues with respect to glycosylation state.

GM-CSF polypeptides are recombinant. Alternatively GM-CSF polypeptides are humanized derivatives of mammalian GM-CSF polypeptides. Exemplary mammalian species from which GM-CSF polypeptides are derived include, but are not limited to, mouse, rat, hamster, guinea pig, ferret, cat, dog, monkey, or primate. In a preferred embodiment, GM-CSF is a recombinant human protein (PeproTech, Catalog #300-03). Alternatively, GM-CSF is a recombinant murine (mouse) protein (PeproTech, Catalog #315-03). Finally, GM-CSF is a humanized derivative of a recombinant mouse protein.

Human Recombinant GM-CSF (PeproTech, Catalog #300-03) is encoded by the following polypeptide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 3):

MAPARSPSPS TQPWEHVNAI QEARRLLNLS RDTAAEMNET VEVISEMFDL QEPTCLQTRL ELYKQGLRGS LTKLKGPLTM MASHYKQHCP PTPETSCATQ IITFESFKEN LKDFLLVIPF DCWEPVQE

Murine Recombinant GM-CSF (PeproTech, Catalog #315-03) is encoded by the following polypeptide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 4):

MAPTRSPITV TRPWKHVEAI KEALNLLDDM PVTLNEEVEV VSNEFSFKKL TCVQTRLKIF EQGLRGNFTK LKGALNMTAS YYQTYCPPTP ETDCETQVTT YADFIDSLKT FLTDIPFECK KPVQK

Human Endogenous GM-CSF is encoded by the following mRNA sequence (NCBI Accession No. NM_000758 and SEQ ID NO: 5):

  1 acacagagag aaaggctaaa gttctctgga ggatgtggct gcagagcctg ctgctcttgg  61 gcactgtggc ctgcagcatc tctgcacccg cccgctcgcc cagccccagc acgcagccct 121 gggagcatgt gaatgccatc caggaggccc ggcgtctcct gaacctgagt agagacactg 181 ctgctgagat gaatgaaaca gtagaagtca tctcagaaat gtttgacctc caggagccga 241 cctgcctaca gacccgcctg gagctgtaca agcagggcct gcggggcagc ctcaccaagc 301 tcaagggccc cttgaccatg atggccagcc actacaagca gcactgccct ccaaccccgg 361 aaacttcctg tgcaacccag attatcacct ttgaaagttt caaagagaac ctgaaggact 421 ttctgcttgt catccccttt gactgctggg agccagtcca ggagtgagac cggccagatg 481 aggctggcca agccggggag ctgctctctc atgaaacaag agctagaaac tcaggatggt 541 catcttggag ggaccaaggg gtgggccaca gccatggtgg gagtggcctg gacctgccct 601 gggccacact gaccctgata caggcatggc agaagaatgg gaatatttta tactgacaga 661 aatcagtaat atttatatat ttatattttt aaaatattta tttatttatt tatttaagtt 721 catattccat atttattcaa gatgttttac cgtaataatt attattaaaa atatgcttct 781 a

Human Endogenous GM-CSF is encoded by the following amino acid sequence (NCBI Accession No. NP_000749.2 and SEQ ID NO: 6):

MWLQSLLLLGTVACSISAPARSPSPSTQPWEHVNAIQEARRLLNLSRDTA AEMNETVEVISEMFDLQEPTCLQTRLELYKQGLRGSLTKLKGPLTMMASH YKQHCPPTPETSCATQIITFESFKENLKDFLLVIPFDCWEPVQE Cytosine-Guanosine (CpG) Oligonucleotide (CpG-ODN) Sequences

CpG sites are regions of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) where a cysteine nucleotide occurs next to a guanine nucleotide in the linear sequence of bases along its length (the “p” represents the phosphate linkage between them and distinguishes them from a cytosine-guanine complementary base pairing). CpG sites play a pivotal role in DNA methylation, which is one of several endogenous mechanisms cells use to silence gene expression. Methylation of CpG sites within promoter elements can lead to gene silencing. In the case of cancer, it is known that tumor suppressor genes are often silences while oncogenes, or cancer-inducing genes, are expressed. Importantly, CpG sites in the promoter regions of tumor suppressor genes (which prevent cancer formation) have been shown to be methylated while CpG sites in the promoter regions of oncogenes are hypomethylated or unmethylated in certain cancers. The TLR-9 receptor binds unmethylated CpG sites in DNA.

The present invention comprises CpG dinucleotides and oligonucleotides. Contemplated CpG oligonucleotides are isolated from endogenous sources or synthesized in vivo or in vitro. Exemplary sources of endogenous CpG oligonucleotides include, but are not limited to, microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses, molds, or parasites. Alternatively, endogenous CpG oligonucleotides are isolated from mammalian benign or malignant neoplastic tumors. Synthetic CpG oligonucleotides are synthesized in vivo following transfection or transformation of template DNA into a host organism. Alternatively, Synthetic CpG oligonucleotides are synthesized in vitro by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or other art-recognized methods (Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F., and Maniatis, T., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, NY, Vol. 1, 2, 3 (1989), herein incorporated by reference).

CpG oligonucleotides are presented for cellular uptake by dendritic cells. In one embodiment, naked CpG oligonucleotides are used. The term “naked” is used to describe an isolated endogenous or synthetic polynucleotide (or oligonucleotide) that is free of additional substituents. In another embodiment, CpG oligonucleotides are bound to one or more compounds to increase the efficiency of cellular uptake. Alternatively, or in addition, CpG oligonucleotides are bound to one or more compounds to increase the stability of the oligonucleotide within the scaffold and/or dendritic cell.

CpG oligonucleotides are condensed prior to cellular uptake. In one preferred embodiment, CpG oligonucleotides are condensed using polyethylenimine (PEI), a cationic polymer that increases the efficiency of cellular uptake into dendritic cells.

CpG oligonucleotides of the present invention can be divided into multiple classes. For example, exemplary CpG-ODNs encompassed by compositions, methods and devices of the present invention are stimulatory, neutral, or suppressive. The term “stimulatory” used herein is meant to describe a class of CpG-ODN sequences that activate TLR9. The term “neutral” used herein is meant to describe a class of CpG-ODN sequences that do not activate TLR9. The term “suppressive” used herein is meant to describe a class of CpG-ODN sequences that inhibit TLR9. The term “activate TLR9” describes a process by which TLR9 initiates intracellular signaling.

Simulatory CpG-ODNs can further be divided into three types A, B and C, which differ in their immune-stimulatory activities. Type A stimulatory CpG ODNs are characterized by a phosphodiester central CpG-containing palindromic motif and a phosphorothioate 3′ poly-G string. Following activation of TLR9, these CpG ODNs induce high IFN-α production from plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC). Type A CpG ODNs weakly stimulate TLR9-dependent NF-κB signaling.

Type B stimulatory CpG ODNs contain a full phosphorothioate backbone with one or more CpG dinucleotides. Following TLR9 activation, these CpG-ODNs strongly activate B cells. In contrast to Type A Cpg-ODNs, Type B CpG-ODNS weakly stimulate IFN-α secretion.

Type C stimulatory CpG ODNs comprise features of Types A and B. Type C CpG-ODNs contain a complete phosphorothioate backbone and a CpG containing palindromic motif. Similar to Type A CpG ODNs, Type C CpG ODNs induce strong IFN-α production from pDC. Similar to Type B CpG ODNs, Type C CpG ODNs induce strong B cell stimulation.

Exemplary stimulatory CpG ODNs comprise, but are not limited to, ODN 1585, ODN 1668, ODN 1826, ODN 2006, ODN 2006-G5, ODN 2216, ODN 2336, ODN 2395, ODN M362 (all InvivoGen). The present invention also encompasses any humanized version of the preceding CpG ODNs. In one preferred embodiment, compositions, methods, and devices of the present invention comprise ODN 1826 (the sequence of which from 5′ to 3′ is tccatgacgttcctgacgtt, wherein CpG elements are bolded, SEQ ID NO: 7).

Neutral, or control, CpG ODNs that do not stimulate TLR9 are encompassed by the present invention. These ODNs comprise the same sequence as their stimulatory counterparts but contain GpC dinucleotides in place of CpG dinucleotides.

Exemplary neutral, or control, CpG ODNs encompassed by the present invention comprise, but are not limited to, ODN 1585 control, ODN 1668 control, ODN 1826 control, ODN 2006 control, ODN 2216 control, ODN 2336 control, ODN 2395 control, ODN M362 control (all InvivoGen). The present invention also encompasses any humanized version of the preceding CpG ODNs.

Suppressive CpG ODNs that inhibit TLR9 are encompassed by the present invention. Exemplary potent inhibitory sequences are (TTAGGG)₄ (ODN TTAGGG, InvivoGen, SEQ ID NO: 8), found in mammalian telomeres and ODN 2088 (InvivoGen), derived from a murine stimulatory CpG ODN by replacement of 3 bases. Suppressive ODNs disrupt the colocalization of CpG ODNs with TLR9 in endosomal vesicles without affecting cellular binding and uptake. Suppressive CpG ODNs encompassed by the present invention are used to fine-tune, attenuate, reverse, or oppose the action of a stimulatory CpG-ODN. Alternatively, or in addition, compositions, methods, or devices of the present invention comprising suppressive CpG ODNs are used to treat autoimmune conditions or prevent immune responses following transplant procedures.

Cancer Antigens

Compositions, methods, and devices of the present invention comprise cancer antigens with means to vaccinate and/or provide protective immunity to a subject to whom such a device was administered. Cancer antigens are used alone or in combination with GM-CSF, CpG-ODN sequences, or immunomodulators. Moreover, cancer antigens are used simultaneously or sequentially with GM-CSF, CpG-ODN sequences, or immunomodulators.

Exemplary cancer antigens encompassed by the compositions, methods, and devices of the present invention include, but are not limited to, tumor lysates extracted from biopsies, irradiated tumor cells, MAGE series of antigens (MAGE-1 is an example), MART-1/melana, tyrosinase, ganglioside, gp100, GD-2, 0-acetylated GD-3, GM-2, MUC-1, Sos1, Protein kinase C-binding protein, Reverse transcriptase protein, AKAP protein, VRK1, KIAA1735, T7-1, T11-3, T11-9, Homo Sapiens telomerase ferment (hTRT), Cytokeratin-19 (CYFRA21-1), SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA ANTIGEN 1 (SCCA-1), (PROTEIN T4-A), SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA ANTIGEN 2 (SCCA-2), Ovarian carcinoma antigen CAl25 (1A1-3B) (KIAA0049), MUCIN 1 (TUMOR-ASSOCIATED MUCIN), (CARCINOMA-ASSOCIATED MUCIN), (POLYMORPHIC EPITHELIAL MUCIN), (PEM), (PEMT), (EPISIALIN), (TUMOR-ASSOCIATED EPITHELIAL MEMBRANE ANTIGEN), (EMA), (H23AG), (PEANUT-REACTIVE URINARY MUCIN), (PUM), (BREAST CARCINOMA- ASSOCIATED ANTIGEN DF3), CTCL tumor antigen se1-1, CTCL tumor antigen se14-3, CTCL tumor antigen se20-4, CTCL tumor antigen se20-9, CTCL tumor antigen se33-1, CTCL tumor antigen se37-2, CTCL tumor antigen se57-1, CTCL tumor antigen se89-1, Prostate-specific membrane antigen, 5T4 oncofetal trophoblast glycoprotein, Orf73 Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, MAGE-C1 (cancer/testis antigen CT7), MAGE-B1 ANTIGEN (MAGE-XP ANTIGEN) (DAM10), MAGE-B2 ANTIGEN (DAM6), MAGE-2 ANTIGEN, MAGE-4a antigen, MAGE-4b antigen, Colon cancer antigen NY-CO-45, Lung cancer antigen NY-LU-12 variant A, Cancer associated surface antigen, Adenocarcinoma antigen ART1, Paraneoplastic associated brain-testis-cancer antigen (onconeuronal antigen MA2; paraneoplastic neuronal antigen), Neuro-oncological ventral antigen 2 (NOVA2), Hepatocellular carcinoma antigen gene 520, TUMOR-ASSOCIATED ANTIGEN CO-029, Tumor-associated antigen MAGE-X2, Synovial sarcoma, X breakpoint 2, Squamous cell carcinoma antigen recognized by T cell, Serologically defined colon cancer antigen 1, Serologically defined breast cancer antigen NY-BR-15, Serologically defined breast cancer antigen NY-BR-16, Chromogranin A; parathyroid secretory protein 1, DUPAN-2, CA 19-9, CA 72-4, CA 195, Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).

Immunomodulators

Compositions, methods, and devices of the present invention comprise immunomodulators including, but not limited to, TLR ligands, growth factors, and products of dying cells, e.g. heat shock proteins, with means to stimulate dendritic cell activation. Immunomodulators are used alone or in combination with GM-CSF, CpG-ODN sequences, or cancer antigens. Immunomodulators are used simultaneously or sequentially with GM-CSF, CpG-ODN sequences, or cancer antigens.

All known TLR ligands found either on a cell surface or an internal cellular compartment are encompassed by the compositions, methods, and devices of the present invention. Exemplary TLR ligands include, but are not limited to, triacyl lipoproteins (TLR1); lipoproteins, gram positive peptidoglycan, lipteichoic acids, fungi, and viral glycoproteins (TLR2); double-stranded RNA, poly I:C (TLR 3); lipopolysaccaride, viral glycoproteins (TLR 4); flagellin (TLR5); diacyl lipoproteins (TLR6); small synthetic compounds, single-stranded RNA (TLR7 and TLR 8); unmethylated CpG DNA (TLR9); Profilin (TLR11). Also included as TRL ligands are host molecules like fibronectin and heat shock proteins (HSPs). Host TLR ligands are also encompassed by the present invention. The role of TLRs in innate immunity and the signaling molecules used to activate and inhibit them are known in the art (for a review, see Holger K. Frank B., Hessel E., and Coffman R L. Therapeutic targeting of innate immunity with Toll-like receptor agonists and antagonists. Nature Medicine 13, 552-559 (2007), herein incorporated by reference).

All known growth factors are encompassed by the compositions, methods, and devices of the present invention. Exemplary growth factors include, but are not limited to, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophins, Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), erythropoietin (EPO), thrombopoietin (TPO), myostatin (GDF-8), growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF9), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF or FGF-1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2), epidermal growth factor (EGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). The present invention encompasses cytokines as well as growth factors for stimulating dendritic cell activation. Exemplary cytokines include, but are not limited to, IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 1L-15, 1L-17, 1L-18, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IFN-α.

Indications of cell death and products of dying cells stimulate dendritic cell activation. As such, all products of dying cells are encompassed by the compositions, methods, and devices of the present invention. Exemplary cell death products include, but are not limited to, any intracellular feature of a cell such as organelles, vesicles, cytoskeletal elements, proteins, DNA, and RNA. Of particular interest are heat shock proteins expressed when a cell is under stress and which are released upon cell death. Exemplary heat shock proteins include, but are not limited to, Hsp10, Hsp20, Hsp27, Hsp33, Hsp40, Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp71, Hsp72, Grp78, Hsx70, Hsp84, Hsp90, Grp94, Hsp100, Hsp104, Hsp110.

Microenvironments and Vaccine Efficiency

The devices/scaffold described herein represent an infection-mimicking microenvironment. Each device constitutes a factory that attracts/accepts, educates/stimulates and sends forth to surrounding bodily tissues activated dendritic cells that are capable of stimulating/enhancing an immune response to a particular antigen. Specifically, the scaffold devices are implanted or coated with pathogenic molecules to mimic and infectious microenvironment to further activate the dendritic cell response.

Appropriately mimicking aspects of infection with material systems dramatically impacts tumor progression when applied as cancer vaccines by continuously recruiting, activating and homing DCs to LNs. The first PLG vaccine, using GM-CSF alone, led to a batch process where host DCs were recruited by GM-CSF to reside at a site of tumor antigen presentation, and were trapped until GM-CSF levels fell and the cells could become activated and disperse (see U.S. Ser. No. 11/638,796; herein incorporated by reference). Temporal variation of the local GM-CSF concentration allowed control over the number of recruited DCs, and the timing of their activation and dispersement. Although the best GM-CSF-based vaccine was able to confer protective immunity in nearly a quarter of the animals tested, approximately 26% of the recruited DCs were activated (240,000 DCs) and approximately 6% of DCs dispersed to the LNs. High levels of GM-CSF recruited large numbers of DC, but also limited DC activation, leaving potentially therapeutic DCs entrapped within scaffolds. These results motivated the development of an improved system that mimicked bacterial infection by locally presenting CpG-ODNs as an overriding ‘danger signal’, that opposed GM-CSF inhibition of DC activation and dispersement. These devices described herein represent significant advances by mediating increased and continuous egress of DCs.

CpG-ODN molecules were condensed with PEI to not only promote ODN uptake into DCs and localization to its TLR-9 receptor (FIG. 3), but also to electrostatically immobilize it in PLG matrices to be presented simultaneously with tumor antigens (FIG. 6). In vitro results indicated that PEI-CpG-ODN condensates can decondense within DCs and stimulate TLR signaling that promoted DC activation and dispersement toward the lymph node derived chemokine, CCL19, in the presence of inhibitory levels of GM-CSF (500 ng/ml).

In vivo, appropriately designed infection-mimics mediated a continuous process that shuttled DCs through an infectious-like microenvironment via recruitment with GM-CSF, followed by immediate activation of resident DCS via condensed CpG-ODN presentation, and subsequent release. An in vivo screen of the dose effects of combined CpG-ODN delivery revealed differential effects on DC activation, with an unusual decoupling of CCR7 and MHCII expression, at high CpG-ODN (>50 μg) and GM-CSF (>1 μg) doses, whereas optimal CpG-ODN doses (10-25 μg) induced significant DC activation (44%, and 1.5×10⁶ cells) even when opposed by high GM-CSF levels (3 μg, in vivo). Therefore, optimal CpG-ODN presentation can activate large numbers of DCs recruited by strong GM-CSF pulses in situ, and these numbers exceed the numbers often programmed and transplanted in ex vivo protocols (FIG. 7).

This DC programming process proved to be continuous as DCs were shuttled through an infectious-like microenvironment via recruitment with intense pulses of GM-CSF, followed by the subsequent programming and release of resident DCS via condensed CpG-ODN stimulation. The percentage of DCs that homed to the LNs approximately doubled from 6% to 13% (U.S. Ser. No. 11/638,796 and FIG. 8), which corresponded to 180,000 programmed DCs (˜4-fold enhancement compared to devices without CpG-ODN) being dispersed to the lymph nodes, with infection-mimics (FIGS. 7 and 8). Strikingly, the lymph nodes in this condition were markedly enlarged (FIG. 8) and loaded with large numbers of DCs at sacrifice, supporting the conclusion that an infection-mimic was created in those animals.

The ability of these infectious-material systems to continuously control DC trafficking and activation translated to a regulation over the efficacy of the cancer vaccine. As the numbers of material-resident, activated DCs that were programmed and dispersed to the lymph nodes increased, the efficacy increased from 0 to 23 and finally 50%. Host T-cells mediated the immune protection, and a clear relation between the numbers of CD-4 and CD-8 lymphocytes (˜50% increase due to infection mimicking) in the tumors that did form (FIG. 10) and vaccine efficacy was found. These results are qualitatively consistent with an ex vivo vaccine developed using irradiated tumor cells engineered to secrete GM-CSF, as that system was previously found to stimulate a potent, specific, and long-lasting anti-tumor immunity (Akira S, Takeda K, Kaisho T. Nature Immunol, 2, 675-80, 2001). In contrast, though, the infection-mimicking material system programmed DCs in situ, and bypassed all ex vivo cell manipulation and transplantation, and provided tight control over the number of DCs recruited, activated and dispersed to the lymph nodes (LNs).

These results indicate the value of finely controlling cell behavior and programming in situ. The mechanism behind vaccine efficacy in these studies was clearly the appropriate control over the number and timing of DC mobilization and programming. Infection-mimics are a useful tool for the development of vaccines with means to create immunity against otherwise lethal infection, cancers and autoimmunity.

Scaffold Compositions and Architecture

Components of the scaffolds are organized in a variety of geometric shapes (e.g., beads, pellets), niches, planar layers (e.g., thin sheets). For example, multicomponent scaffolds are constructed in concentric layers each of which is characterized by different physical qualities (% polymer, % crosslinking of polymer, chemical composition of scaffold, pore size, porosity, and pore architecture, stiffness, toughness, ductility, viscoelasticity, and or composition of bioactive substances such as growth factors, homing/migration factors, differentiation factors. Each niche has a specific effect on a cell population, e.g., promoting or inhibiting a specific cellular function, proliferation, differentiation, elaboration of secreted factors or enzymes, or migration. Cells incubated in the scaffold are educated and induced to migrate out of the scaffold to directly affect a target tissue, e.g., and injured tissue site. For example, stromal vascular cells and smooth muscle cells are useful in sheet like structures are used for repair of vessel-like structures such as blood vessels or layers of the body cavity. For example, such structures are used to repair abdominal wall injuries or defects such as gastroschisis. Similarly, sheet like scaffolds seeded with dermal stem cells and/or keratinocytes are used in bandages or wound dressings for regeneration of dermal tissue. The device is placed or transplanted on or next to a target tissue, in a protected location in the body, next to blood vessels, or outside the body as in the case of an external wound dressing. Devices are introduced into or onto a bodily tissue using a variety of known methods and tools, e.g., spoon, tweezers or graspers, hypodermic needle, endoscopic manipulator, endo- or trans-vascular-catheter, stereotaxic needle, snake device, organ-surface-crawling robot (United States Patent Application 20050154376; Ota et al., 2006, Innovations 1:227-231), minimally invasive surgical devices, surgical implantation tools, and transdermal patches. Devices can also be assembled in place, for example by senquentially injecting or inserting matrix materials. Scaffold devices are optionally recharged with cells or with bioactive compounds, e.g., by sequential injection or spraying of substances such as growth factors or differentiation factors.

A scaffold or scaffold device is the physical structure upon which or into which cells associate or attach, and a scaffold composition is the material from which the structure is made. For example, scaffold compositions include biodegradable or permanent materials such as those listed below. The mechanical characteristics of the scaffold vary according to the application or tissue type for which regeneration is sought. It is biodegradable (e.g., collagen, alginates, polysaccharides, polyethylene glycol (PEG), poly(glycolide) (PGA), poly(L-lactide) (PLA), or poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) or permanent (e.g., silk). In the case of biodegradable structures, the composition is degraded by physical or chemical action, e.g., level of hydration, heat or ion exchange or by cellular action, e.g., elaboration of enzyme, peptides, or other compounds by nearby or resident cells. The consistency varies from a soft/pliable (e.g., a gel) to glassy, rubbery, brittle, tough, elastic, stiff. The structures contain pores, which are nanoporous, microporous, or macroporous, and the pattern of the pores is optionally homogeneous, heterogenous, aligned, repeating, or random.

Alginates are versatile polysaccharide based polymers that may be formulated for specific applications by controlling the molecular weight, rate of degradation and method of scaffold formation. Coupling reactions can be used to covalently attach bioactive epitopes, such as the cell adhesion sequence RGD to the polymer backbone. Alginate polymers are formed into a variety of scaffold types. Injectable hydrogels can be formed from low MW alginate solutions upon addition of a cross-linking agents, such as calcium ions, while macroporous scaffolds are formed by lyophilization of high MW alginate discs. Differences in scaffold formulation control the kinetics of scaffold degradation. Release rates of morphogens or other bioactive substances from alginate scaffolds is controlled by scaffold formulation to present morphogens in a spatially and temporally controlled manner. This controlled release not only eliminates systemic side effects and the need for multiple injections, but can be used to create a microenvironment that activates host cells at the implant site and transplanted cells seeded onto a scaffold.

The scaffold comprises a biocompatible polymer matrix that is optionally biodegradable in whole or in part. A hydrogel is one example of a suitable polymer matrix material. Examples of materials which can form hydrogels include polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, PLGA polymers, alginates and alginate derivatives, gelatin, collagen, agarose, natural and synthetic polysaccharides, polyamino acids such as polypeptides particularly poly(lysine), polyesters such as polyhydroxybutyrate and poly-epsilon.-caprolactone, polyanhydrides; polyphosphazines, poly(vinyl alcohols), poly(alkylene oxides) particularly poly(ethylene oxides), poly(allylamines)(PAM), poly(acrylates), modified styrene polymers such as poly(4-aminomethylstyrene), pluronic polyols, polyoxamers, poly(uronic acids), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and copolymers of the above, including graft copolymers.

The scaffolds are fabricated from a variety of synthetic polymers and naturally-occurring polymers such as, but not limited to, collagen, fibrin, hyaluronic acid, agarose, and laminin-rich gels. One preferred material for the hydrogel is alginate or modified alginate material. Alginate molecules are comprised of (1-4)-linked β-D-mannuronic acid (M units) and a L-guluronic acid (G units) monomers, which can vary in proportion and sequential distribution along the polymer chain. Alginate polysaccharides are polyelectrolyte systems which have a strong affinity for divalent cations (e.g. Ca⁺², Mg⁺², Ba⁺²) and form stable hydrogels when exposed to these molecules. See Martinsen A., et al., Biotech. & Bioeng., 33 (1989) 79-89.) For example, calcium cross-linked alginate hydrogels are useful for dental applications, wound dressings chondrocyte transplantation and as a matrix for other cell types.

An exemplary device utilizes an alginate or other polysaccharide of a relatively low molecular weight, preferably of size which, after dissolution, is at the renal threshold for clearance by humans, e.g., the alginate or polysaccharide is reduced to a molecular weight of 1000 to 80,000 daltons. Preferably, the molecular mass is 1000 to 60,000 daltons, particularly preferably 1000 to 50,000 daltons. It is also useful to use an alginate material of high guluronate content since the guluronate units, as opposed to the mannuronate units, provide sites for ionic crosslinking through divalent cations to gel the polymer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,642,363, incorporated herein by reference discloses methods for making and using polymers containing polysaccharides such as alginates or modified alginates that are particularly useful for cell transplantation and tissue engineering applications.

Useful polysaccharides other than alginates include agarose and microbial polysaccharides such as those listed in the table below.

Polysaccharide Scaffold Compositions

Polymers^(a) Structure Fungal Pullulan (N) 1,4-;1,6-α-D-Glucan Scleroglucan (N) 1,3;1,6-α-D-Glucan Chitin (N) 1,4-β-D-Acetyl Glucosamine Chitosan (C) 1,4-β.-D-N-Glucosamine Elsinan (N) 1,4-;1,3-α-D-Glucan Bacterial Xanthan gum (A) 1,4-β.-D-Glucan with D-mannose; D-glucuronic Acid as side groups Curdlan (N) 1,3-β.-D-Glucan (with branching) Dextran (N) 1,6-α-D-Glucan with some 1,2;1,3-; 1,4-α-linkages Gellan (A) 1,4-β.-D-Glucan with rhamose, D-glucuronic acid Levan (N) 2,6-β-D-Fructan with some β-2,1-branching Emulsan (A) Lipoheteropolysaccharide Cellulose (N) 1,4-β-D-Glucan ^(a)N-neutral, A = anionic and C = cationic.

The scaffolds of the invention are porous or non-porous. For example, the scaffolds are nanoporous having a diameter of less than about 10 nm; microporous wherein the diameter of the pores are preferably in the range of about 100 nm-20 μm; or macroporous wherein the diameter of the pores are greater than about 20 μm, more preferably greater than about 100 μm and even more preferably greater than about 400 μm. In one example, the scaffold is macroporous with aligned pores of about 400-500 μm in diameter. The preparation of polymer matrices having the desired pore sizes and pore alignments are described in the Examples. Other methods of preparing porous hydrogel products are known in the art. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,650 incorporated herein by reference).

Bioactive Compositions

The device includes one or more bioactive compositions. Bioactive compositions are purified naturally-occurring, synthetically produced, or recombinant compounds, e.g., polypeptides, nucleic acids, small molecules, or other agents. For example, the compositions include GM-CSF, CpG-ODN, and tumor antigens or other antigens. The compositions described herein are purified. Purified compounds are at least 60% by weight (dry weight) the compound of interest. Preferably, the preparation is at least 75%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 99%, by weight the compound of interest. Purity is measured by any appropriate standard method, for example, by column chromatography, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or HPLC analysis.

Coupling of the polypeptides to the polymer matrix is accomplished using synthetic methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Approaches to coupling of peptides to polymers are discussed in Hirano and Mooney, Advanced Materials, p. 17-25 (2004). Other useful bonding chemistries include those discussed in Hermanson, Bioconjugate Techniques, p. 152-185 (1996), particularly by use of carbodiimide couplers, DCC and DIC (Woodward's Reagent K). Polypeptides contain a terminal amine group for such carbodiimide bonding. The amide bond formation is preferably catalyzed by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC), which is a water soluble enzyme commonly used in peptide synthesis.

Control of Release Kinetics of Bioactive Compositions

The release profile of bioactive compositions such as GM-CSF is controlled using a number of different techniques, e.g., encapsulation, nature of attachment/association with the scaffold, porosity of the scaffold, and particle size of the bioactive compositions.

For example, GM-CSF is encapsulated as one means by which to incorporate GM-CSF into the scaffolds. GM-CSF was first encapsulated into PLG microspheres, and then these GM-CSF loaded microspheres were then in a gas foaming process to develop macroporous PLG scaffolds. The incorporation of GM-CSF into the microspheres causes the GM-CSF to be more deeply embedded into the polymer, which causes the device to sustain the initial pulse of GM-CSF delivery over days 1-5. Other incorporation methods are optionally used to alter or fine tune the duration of the GM-CSF pulse as desired, which would in turn change the kinetics of DC recruitment. For example, foaming PLG particles mixed with lyophilized GM-CSF results in GM-CSF that is associated more with the surface of the polymer scaffold, and the protein diffuses more quickly.

Alternative methods for scaffold fabrication that modify release kinetics include modifying the physical structure of the scaffolds pores, thereby leading to different degradation times and release kinetics (change pore size or total porosity as a percentage of volume), e.g., as described in Riddle et al., Role of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) particle size on gas-foamed scaffolds. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2004; 15(12):1561-70. Another way to alter release kinetics is to modify the composition, i.e., the raw materials from which the scaffold is made, thereby altering the release properties. For example, different polymers, e.g. alginate, PLA, PGA, or using PLGA are used. Also, use of the polymers with different ratios of glycolic and lactic acid) leads to different release profiles. For example, a variety of PLGs, differing in composition (lactide to glycolide ratio) and molecular weight are used to prepare microspheres (5-50 μm) using known double emulsion (water/oil/water) process, followed by preparation of scaffolds using particulate PLG and PLG microspheres using gas foaming/particulate leaching techniques (Ennett et al., Temporally regulated delivery of VEGF in vitro and in vivo. J Biomed Mater Res A. 2006 October; 79(1). Another technique involves incorporating the protein into different compartments (e.g., encapsulating proteins PLG microspheres or simple mixing and lyophilizing with the polymer before foaming).

Charging and/or Recharging the Device

A bioactive composition such as GM-CSF is incorporated within different layers/compartments of the device, thereby allowing multiple pulses of GM-CSF to be delivered. Each pulse charges (or recharges) the device with an influx of DCs. Scaffolds are fabricated using a variety of methods to create multiple pulses of GM-CSF (or other bioactive agents). For example, such devices are made by incorporating the protein into different compartments (e.g encapsulating proteins PLG microspheres or simple mixing and lyophilizing with the polymer before foaming) thereby creating 2 or more distinct release profiles (i.e. pulses) of the protein (e.g., as described in Richardson et al., Polymeric system for dual growth factor delivery. Nat Biotechnol. 2001 November; 19(11)).

Alternatively, the protein is encapsulated in fast degrading PLG microspheres (e.g. low MW, 50:50 ratio) and slow degrading PLG microspheres (high MW, 85:15 ratio). Then these microspheres are mixed together to be used later to fabricate the scaffolds. Therefore, the protein is encapsulated in both fast a degrading polymer and a slow degrading polymer, thereby resulting in at least 2 distinct releases kinetics and pulses of delivery. This method is utilized to create 3, 4, 5, or more different kinds of microspheres, the ratiometric characteristics of which differ, thereby leading to 3, 4, 5 or more pulses of release of the bioactive composition such as GM-CSF.

Another approach to making a device that delivers more than one pulse is to fabricate a layered scaffold. Layered scaffolds are made by compression molding on different scaffold formulations with another. For example, the raw materials (sucrose+PLG1+Protein) is compressed in a mold and a slightly varied formulation (sucrose+PLG2+Protein) is also compressed in a mold. Then these two layers are compressed together and then foamed, resulting in a bilayered scaffold with distinct spatial control of the concentration of the protein, e.g., as described in Chen et al., Pharm Res. Spatio-temporal VEGF and PDGF delivery patterns blood vessel formation and maturation. 2007 February; 24(2):258-64).

Device Construction

The scaffold structure is constructed out of a number of different rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, gel, self-assembling, liquid crystalline, or fluid compositions such as peptide polymers, polysaccharides, synthetic polymers, hydrogel materials, ceramics (e.g., calcium phosphate or hydroxyapatite), proteins, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, metals and metal alloys. The compositions are assembled into cell scaffold structures using methods known in the art, e.g., injection molding, lyophillization of preformed structures, printing, self-assembly, phase inversion, solvent casting, melt processing, gas foaming, fiber forming/processing, particulate leaching or a combination thereof. The assembled devices are then implanted or administered to the body of an individual to be treated.

The device is assembled in vivo in several ways. The scaffold is made from a gelling material, which is introduced into the body in its ungelled form where it gels in situ. Exemplary methods of delivering device components to a site at which assembly occurs include injection through a needle or other extrusion tool, spraying, painting, or methods of deposit at a tissue site, e.g., delivery using an application device inserted through a cannula. In one example, the ungelled or unformed scaffold material is mixed with bioactive substances and cells prior to introduction into the body or while it is introduced. The resultant in vivo/in situ assembled scaffold contains a mixture of these substances and cells.

In situ assembly of the scaffold occurs as a result of spontaneous association of polymers or from synergistically or chemically catalyzed polymerization. Synergistic or chemical catalysis is initiated by a number of endogenous factors or conditions at or near the assembly site, e.g., body temperature, ions or pH in the body, or by exogenous factors or conditions supplied by the operator to the assembly site, e.g., photons, heat, electrical, sound, or other radiation directed at the ungelled material after it has been introduced. The energy is directed at the scaffold material by a radiation beam or through a heat or light conductor, such as a wire or fiber optic cable or an ultrasonic transducer. Alternatively, a shear-thinning material, such as an ampliphile, is used which re-cross links after the shear force exerted upon it, for example by its passage through a needle, has been relieved.

Suitable hydrogels for both in vivo and ex vivo assembly of scaffold devices are well known in the art and described, e.g., in Lee et al., 2001, Chem. Rev. 7:1869-1879. The peptide amphiphile approach to self-assembly assembly is described, e.g., in Hartgerink et al., 2002, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 99:5133-5138. A method for reversible gellation following shear thinning is exemplied in Lee et al., 2003, Adv. Mat. 15:1828-1832.

A multiple compartment device is assembled in vivo by applying sequential layers of similarly or differentially doped gel or other scaffold material to the target site. For example, the device is formed by sequentially injecting the next, inner layer into the center of the previously injected material using a needle, forming concentric spheroids. Non-concentric compartments are formed by injecting material into different locations in a previously injected layer. A multi-headed injection device extrudes compartments in parallel and simultaneously. The layers are made of similar or different scaffolding compositions differentially doped with bioactive substances and different cell types. Alternatively, compartments self-organize based on their hydro-philic/phobic characteristics or on secondary interactions within each compartment.

Compartmentalized Device

In certain situations, a device containing compartments with distinct chemical and/or physical properties is useful. A compartmentalized device is designed and fabricated using different compositions or concentrations of compositions for each compartment.

Alternatively, the compartments are fabricated individually, and then adhered to each other (e.g., a “sandwich” with an inner compartment surrounded on one or all sides with the second compartment). This latter construction approach is accomplished using the intrinsic adhesiveness of each layer for the other, diffusion and interpenetration of polymer chains in each layer, polymerization or cross-linking of the second layer to the first, use of an adhesive (e.g., fibrin glue), or physical entrapment of one compartment in the other. The compartments self-assemble and interface appropriately, either in vitro or in vivo, depending on the presence of appropriate precursors (e.g., temperature sensitive oligopeptides, ionic strength sensitive oligopeptides, block polymers, cross-linkers and polymer chains (or combinations thereof), and precursors containing cell adhesion molecules that allow cell-controlled assembly).

Alternatively, the compartmentalized device is formed using a printing technology. Successive layers of a scaffold precursor doped with bioactive substances is placed on a substrate then cross linked, for example by self-assembling chemistries. When the cross linking is controlled by chemical-, photo- or heat-catalyzed polymerization, the thickness and pattern of each layer is controlled by a masque, allowing complex three dimensional patterns to be built up when un-cross-linked precursor material is washed away after each catalyzation. (WT Brinkman et al., Photo-cross-linking of type 1 collagen gels in the presence of smooth muscle cells: mechanical properties, cell viability, and function. Biomacromolecules, 2003 July-August; 4(4): 890-895; W. Ryu et al., The construction of three-dimensional micro-fluidic scaffolds of biodegradable polymers by solvent vapor based bonding of micro-molded layers. Biomaterials, 2007 February; 28(6): 1174-1184; Wright, Paul K. (2001). 21st Century manufacturing. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc.) Complex, multi-compartment layers are also built up using an inkjet device which “paints” different doped-scaffold precursors on different areas of the substrate. Julie Phillippi (Carnegie Mellon University) presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology on Dec. 10, 2006; Print me a heart and a set of arteries, Aldhouse P., New Scientist 13 Apr. 2006 Issue 2547 p 19; Replacement organs, hot off the press, C. Choi, New Scientist, 25 Jan. 2003, v2379. These layers are built-up into complex, three dimensional compartments. The device is also built using any of the following methods: Jetted Photopolymer, Selective Laser Sintering, Laminated Object Manufacturing, Fused Deposition Modeling, Single Jet Inkjet, Three Dimensional Printing, or Laminated Object Manufacturing.

The release profiles of bioactive substances from scaffold devices is controlled by both factor diffusion and polymer degradation, the dose of the factor loaded in the system, and the composition of the polymer. Similarly, the range of action (tissue distribution) and duration of action, or spatiotemporal gradients of the released factors are regulated by these variables. The diffusion and degradation of the factors in the tissue of interest is optionally regulated by chemically modifying the factors (e.g., PEGylating growth factors). In both cases, the time frame of release determines the time over which effective cell delivery by the device is desired.

The bioactive substances are added to the scaffold compositions using known methods including surface absorption, physical immobilization, e.g., using a phase change to entrap the substance in the scaffold material. For example, a growth factor is mixed with the scaffold composition while it is in an aqueous or liquid phase, and after a change in environmental conditions (e.g., pH, temperature, ion concentration), the liquid gels or solidifies thereby entrapping the bioactive substance. Alternatively, covalent coupling, e.g., using alkylating or acylating agents, is used to provide a stable, long term presentation of a bioactive substance on the scaffold in a defined conformation. Exemplary reagents for covalent coupling of such substances are provided in the table below.

Methods to Covalently Couple Peptides/Proteins to Polymers

Functional Reacting Group of groups on Polymer Coupling reagents and cross-linker proteins/peptides —OH Cyanogen bromide (CNBr) —NH₂ Cyanuric chloride 4-(4,6-Dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)- 4-methyl-morpholinium chloride (DMT-MM) —NH₂ Diisocyanate compounds —NH₂ Diisothoncyanate compounds —OH Glutaraldehyde Succinic anhydride —NH₂ Nitrous Acid —NH₂ Hydrazine + nitrous acid —SH —Ph—OH —NH₂ Carbodiimide compounds —COOH (e.g., EDC, DCC)[a] DMT-MM —COOH Thionyl chloride —NH₂ N-hydroxysuccinimide N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide + EDC —SH Disulfide compound —SH [a]EDC: 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride; DCC: dicyclohexylcarbodiimide

Bioactive substances suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to: interferons, interleukins, chemokines, cytokines, colony stimulating factors, chemotactic factors, granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMCSF). Splice variants of any of the above mentioned proteins, and small molecule agonists or antagonists thereof that may be used advantageously to activate dendritic cells are also contemplated herein.

Examples of cytokines as mentioned above include, but are not limited to IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17, IL-18, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), interferon-γ (γ-IFN), IFN-α, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), TGF-β, FLT-3 ligand, and CD40 ligand.

Scaffolds of the invention optionally comprise at least one non-viral gene therapy vector such that either the transplanted cells or host cells in the vicinity of the implant would take up and express gene that lead to local availability of the desired factor for a desirable time frame. Such non-viral vectors include, but are not limited to, cationic lipids, polymers, targeting proteins, and calcium phosphate.

Scaffold Fabrication.

A 85:15, 120 kD copolymer of D,L-lactide and glycolide (PLG) (Alkermes, Cambridge, Mass.) was utilized in a gas-foaming process to form scaffolds (Cohen S., Yoshioka T., Lucarelli, M., Hwang L. H., and Langer R. Pharm. Res. 8, 713-720 (1991); herein incorporated by reference). PLG microspheres encapsulating GM-CSF were made using standard double emulsion (Harris, L. D., Kim, B. S., and Mooney, D. J. J. Bionied. Mater. Res. 42, 396-402 (1998); herein incorporated by reference). 16 mg of PLG microspheres were then mixed with 150 mg of the porogens, NaCl or sucrose (sieved to a particle size between 250 μm and 425 μm), and compression molded. The resulting disc was allowed to equilibrate within a high-pressure CO₂ environment, and a rapid reduction in pressure causes the polymer particles to expand and fuse into an interconnected structure. The NaCl was leached from the scaffolds by immersion in water yielding scaffolds that were 90% porous. To incorporate tumor lysates into PLG scaffolds, biopsies of B16-F10 tumors, that had grown subcutaneously in the backs of C57BL/6J mice (Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor Me.), were digested in collagenase (250 U/ml) (Worthington, Lakewood, N.J.) and suspended at a concentration equivalent to 10⁷ cells per ml after filtration through 40 μm cell strainers. The tumor cell suspension was subjected to 4 cycles of rapid freeze in liquid nitrogen and thaw (37° C.) and then centrifuged at 400 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant (1 ml) containing tumor lysates was collected and lyophilized with the PLG microspheres and the resulting mixture was used to make PLG scaffold-based cancer vaccines. To incorporate CpG-ODNs into PLG scaffolds, PEI-CpG-ODN condensate solutions were vortexed with 60 μl of 50% (wt/vol) sucrose solution, lyophilized and mixed with dry sucrose to a final weight of 150 mg. The sucrose containing PEI-CpG-ODN condensate was then mixed with blank, GM-CSF and/or tumor lysate loaded PLG microspheres to make PLG cancer vaccines.

Scaffold compositions of the present invention comprise GM-CSF and CpG-ODN sequences. A range of concentrations of each element are contemplated. In a preferred embodiment, the scaffold composition comprises PLG. With respect to GM-CSF, per 40 mg polymeric scaffold composition, 0-100 μg of GM-CSF polypeptide is incorporated into or coated onto said scaffold composition. Alternatively, doses comprising 0-50 μg, 0-25 μg, 0-10 μg, 0-5 μg, and 0-3 μg of GM-CSF are incorporated into the scaffold composition. In a preferred embodiment, 0-3 μg of GM-CSF are incorporated into the scaffold composition. With respect to CpG-ODN sequences, or PEI-CpG-ODN condensates, per 40 mg polymeric scaffold composition, 0-1000 μg of PEI-CpG-ODN is incorporated into or coated onto said scaffold composition. Alternatively, doses comprising 0-500 μg, 0-250 μg, 0-100 μg, 0-50 μg, 0-25 μg, 0-10 μg, and 0-5 μg of PEI-CpG-ODN are incorporated into the scaffold composition. In a preferred embodiment, 0-50 μg of PEI-CpG-ODN are incorporated into the scaffold composition.

CpG-ODN Incorporation and In Vitro Release Studies

To determine the incorporation efficiency of CpG-ODN incorporation, PLG scaffolds were prepared with 50 ug of CpG-ODN and digested in 1 ml of chloroform (Sigma Aldrich, and washed with 2 mls of aqueous buffer. The aqueous phase was isolated and the amount of CpG-ODN incorporated was determined by absorbance readings (260/280 and 260/230 ratios calculated at 0.2 mm pathlength) using a Nanodrop instrument, ND1000 (Nanodrop technologies, Wilmington, Del.). Similarly, to determine CpG-ODN release kinetics CpG-ODN loaded scaffolds were placed in 1 ml of Phosphate Buffer Solution (PBS) in an incubator (37° C.). At various timepoints, the PBS release media was collected and replaced with fresh media. The total amount of CpG-ODN incorporated into PLG scaffolds and released into PBS over time was analyzed and recorded.

In Vitro DC Migration Assays and DC Activation

A DC line, JAWSII (ATCC, Manassas, Va.) was used for in vitro experiments and was maintained in α-MEM (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) supplemented with 20% FBS (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) and 5 ng/ml of GM-CSF. To determine the in vitro effects of CpG-rich oligonucleotides (CpG-ODN) on DC activation, JAWSII cells were cultured with 5 μg/ml of CpG-ODN 1826, 5′-tcc atg acg ttc ctg acg tt-3′, (Invivogen, San Diego, Calif.) for 24 hours, and in the presence of 0, 50 or 500 ng/ml GM-CSF for 12 hours. To assess the effects of condensing CpG-ODN on DC activation, CpG ODN was condensed with PEI molecules by dropping ODN-1826 solutions into PEI solution, while vortexing the mixture (Huang Y C, Riddle F, Rice K G, and Mooney D J. Hum Gene Ther. 5, 609-17. (2005); herein incorporated by reference). The charge ratio between PEI and CpG-ODN (NH3+:PO4−) was kept constant at 7 during condensation. As a positive control for DC activation, DCs were also cultured with the stimulatory factors, TNF-α (10 ng/ml) (Peprotech, Rocky Hill, N.J.) and LPS (10 ng/ml) (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.). The DCs were then harvested and stained with primary antibodies (BD Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.): PE-conjugated CD86 (B7, costimulatory molecule), FITC-conjugated CCR7, and FITC-conjugated MHCII. Cells were analyzed by FACS and gated according to positive FITC, and PE using isotype controls, and the percentage of cells staining positive for each surface antigen was recorded.

Migration assays were performed with 6.5 mm transwell dishes (Costar, Cambridge, Mass.) with a pore size of 5 μm. To test whether CpG-ODN stimulation may affect DC chemotaxis towards CCL19 (Peprotech, Rocky Hill, N.J.) in the presence of GM-CSF, 5×10⁵ DCs stimulated with either 5 μg/ml of CpG-ODN or PEI-CPG-ODN (Charge Ratio of 7), and 0, 50 and 500 ng/ml GM-CSF were placed in the top wells and 300 ng/ml of CCL19 was placed in the bottom well. After 12 hours the cells that migrated into the bottom wells of the chamber were harvested and counted using a coulter counter. Dispersement of DCs from PEI-CpG-ODN loaded PLG matrices toward CCL19 was assessed by incorporating 5, 50 and 500 μg of condensates into PLG scaffolds (13 mm diameter, 2 mm thick that were quartered) seeded with 1×10⁶ DCs and fixed onto transwells using bovine collagen (BD Biosciences, San Jose, Calif.). To test the effects of CpG stimulation in the presence of GM-CSF, 500 ng/ml of GM-CSF was supplemented into the media of the top wells with scaffolds containing 25 μg of PEI-CpG-ODN. At various timepoints, the cells that migrated into the bottom wells of the chamber were harvested and counted using a coulter counter.

In Vivo DC Migration and Activation Assays

Blank scaffolds and scaffolds containing GM-CSF with or without 10 μg PEI-ODN control (5′-tcc atg agc ttc ctg agc tt-3′) or 10 μg PEI-CpG-ODN condensate loaded scaffolds were implanted into subcutaneous pockets on the back of 7-9 week old male C57BL/6J mice. For histological examination scaffolds were excised and fixed in Z-fix solution, embedded in paraffin, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. To analyze DC recruitment, scaffolds were excised and the ingrown tissue was digested into single cell suspensions using a collagenase solution (Worthingtion, 250 U/ml) that was agitated at 37° C. for 45 minutes. The cell suspensions were then poured through a 40 μm cell strainer to isolate cells from scaffold particles and the cells were pelleted and washed with cold PBS and counted using a Z2 coulter counter (Beckman Coulter). The resultant cell populations were then stained with primary antibodies (BD Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.) conjugated to fluorescent markers to allow for analysis by flow cytometry. APC-conjugated CD11c (dendritic cell marker) and PE-conjugated CD86 (B7, costimulatory molecule) stains were conducted for DC recruitment analysis, and APC-conjugated CD11c, FITC-conjugated CCR7, and PE-conjugated MHCII stains were conducted for DC programming analysis. Cells were gated according to positive FITC, APC and PE using isotype controls, and the percentage of cells staining positive for each surface antigen was recorded. To track in vivo DC emigration from scaffolds toward the inguinal lymph nodes, 250 μg of lyophilized fluoroscein isothiocyanate (FITC) (Molecular Probes, Carlsbad, Calif.) was incorporated into scaffolds by mixing with PLG microspheres before scaffold processing, and FITC was also applied by incubating scaffolds with 330 ul of 3% FITC solution for 30 min FITC painted scaffolds were then implanted subcutaneously into the left flank of C57BL/6J mice and the inguinal lymph nodes (LNs) were harvested at various time-points after scaffold implantation. Cell suspensions from LNs were prepared by digestion in collagenase for 30 min and pressing of the tissue through 70 μm cell strainers, and examined for CD11c(+)FITC(+) cell numbers by flow cytometry.

Tumor Growth Assays

PLG scaffolds with melanoma tumor lysates and various dosages of GM-CSF and/or 10 μg PEI-CpG-ODN condensates were implanted subcutaneously into the lower left flank of C57BL/6J mice. Animals were challenged 14 days later with a subcutaneous injection of 10⁵ B16-F10 melanoma cells (ATCC, Manassas, N.J.) in the back of the neck. Animals were monitored for the onset of tumor growth (approximately 1 mm³) and sacrificed for humane reasons when tumors grew to 20-25 mm (longest diameter). For histological examination, tumors were biopsied at days 20-25 after injection and fixed in Z-fix (Anatech, Battle Creek, Mich.) and stained for hematoxylin and eosin. To examine tumor tissue for T-cell infiltration, immunoperoxidase staining was performed using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase Vectastain Elite ABC kit (Vector Laboratories). The primary antibodies used were GK 1.5 (CD4), and 53-6.72 (CD8) and staining was developed using DAB+ substrate chromogen (DAKO, Carpinteria, Calif.). Sections from tumor samples (n=3 or 4) were visualized at 40× and 100× with a Nikon light microscope (Indianapolis, Ind.) and positively stained T-cells were counted manually. PLG cancer vaccines were also compared to a common cell-based vaccine using B16-F10 melanoma cells that were genetically modified to express GM-CSF, and subsequently irradiated (3500 rad) as described previously (Dranoff G., et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 90, 3539-3543(1993); herein incorporated by reference). The irradiated tumor cells (5×10⁵ cells) were then injected subcutaneously into C57BL/6J mice that were challenged 14 days later with 10⁵ B16-F10 melanoma cells.

Statistical Analysis

All values in the present study were expressed as mean±S.D. The significant differences between the groups were analyzed by a Student's t test and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Vaccine Device

The biocompatible scaffolds are useful as delivery vehicles for cancer vaccines. The cancer vaccine stimulates an endogenous immune response against cancer cells. Currently produced vaccines predominantly activate the humoral immune system (i.e., the antibody dependent immune response). Other vaccines currently in development are focused on activating the cell-mediated immune system including cytotoxic T lymphocytes which are capable of killing tumor cells. Cancer vaccines generally enhance the presentation of cancer antigens to both antigen presenting cells (e.g., macrophages and dendritic cells) and/or to other immune cells such as T cells, B cells, and NK cells. Although cancer vaccines may take one of several forms, their purpose is to deliver cancer antigens and/or cancer associated antigens to antigen presenting cells (APC) in order to facilitate the endogenous processing of such antigens by APC and the ultimate presentation of antigen presentation on the cell surface in the context of MHC class I molecules. One form of cancer vaccine is a whole cell vaccine which is a preparation of cancer cells which have been removed from a subject, treated ex vivo and then reintroduced as whole cells in the subject. These treatments optionally involve cytokine exposure to activate the cells, genetic manipulation to overexpress cytokines from the cells, or priming with tumor specific antigens or cocktails of antigens, and expansion in culture. Dendritic cell vaccines activate antigen presenting cells directly, and their proliferation, activation and migration to lymph nodes is regulated by scaffold compositions to enhance their ability to elicit an immune response. Types of cancers to be treated include central nervous system (CNS) cancers, CNS Germ Cell tumor, lung cancer, Leukemia, Multiple Myeloma, Renal Cancer, Malignant Glioma, Medulloblastoma, and Melanoma.

For the purpose of eliciting an antigen-specific immune response, a scaffold device is implanted into a mammal. The device is tailored to activate immune cells and prime the cells with a specific antigen thereby enhancing immune defenses and destruction of undesired tissues and targeted microorganisms such as bacterial or viral pathogens. The device attracts appropriate immune cells, such as macrophages, T cells, B cells, NK cells, and dendritic cells, by containing and/or releasing signaling substances such as GM-CSF. These signaling substances are incorporated in the scaffold composition in such a way as to control their release spatially and temporally using the same techniques used to integrate other bioactive compounds in the scaffold composition.

Once the immune cells are inside the device, the device programs the immune cells to attack or cause other aspects of the immune system to attack undesired tissues (e.g., cancer, adipose deposits, or virus-infected or otherwise diseased cells) or microorganisms. Immune cell activation is accomplished by exposing the resident immune cells to preparations of target-specific compositions, e.g., ligands found on the surface of the undesired tissues or organisms, such as cancer cell surface markers, viral proteins, oligonucleatides, peptide sequences or other specific antigens. For example, useful cancer cell-specific antigens and other tissue or organism-specific proteins are listed in the table below.

The device optionally contains multiple ligands or antigens in order to create a multivalent vaccine. The compositions are embedded in or coated on the surface of one or more compartments of the scaffold composition such that immune cells migrating through the device are exposed to the compositions in their traverse through the device. Antigens or other immune stimulatory molecules are exposed or become exposed to the cells as the scaffold composition degrades. The device may also contain vaccine adjuvants that program the immune cells to recognize ligands and enhance antigen presentation. Exemplary vaccine adjuvants include chemokines/cytokines, CpG rich oligonucleotides, or antibodies that are exposed concurrently with target cell-specific antigens or ligands.

The device attracts immune cells to migrate into a scaffold where they are educated in an antigen-specific manner and activated. The programmed immune cells are then induced to egress towards lymph nodes in a number of ways. The recruitment composition and deployment signal/composition, e.g., a lymph node migration inducing substance, is released in one or more bursts, programmed by the method of incorporation and/or release from the scaffold material, or controlled by the sequential degradation of scaffold compartments which contain the attractant. When a burst dissipates, the cells migrate away. Compartments containing repulsive substances are designed to degrade and release the repulsive substance in one or more bursts or steadily over time. Relative concentration of the repulsive substances cause the immune cells to migrate out of the device. Alternatively, cells which have been placed in or have migrated into the device are programmed to release repulsive substances or to change their own behavior. For example, localized gene therapy is carried out by cell exposure to plasmid DNA attached to the scaffold. Useful repulsive substances include chemokines and cytokines. Alternatively, the device may cause immune cells to egress by degrading and releasing them.

Target disease states, stimulatory molecules and antigens useful in vaccine device construction are listed below.

Bioactive Factors to Promote Immune Responses

a. Interleukins: IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 1L-15, 1L-17, 1L-18 etc.

b. TNF-α

c. IFN-γ

d. IFN-α

e. GM-CSF

f. G-CSF

g. Ftl-3 ligand

h. MIP-3β (CCL19)

i. CCL21

j. M-CSF

k. MIF

l. CD40L

m. CD3

n. ICAM

o. Anti CTLA-4 antibodies

p. TGF-β

q. CPG rich DNA or oligonucleotides

r. Sugar moieties associated with Bacteria: Lipopolysacharides (LPS) is an example

s. Fas ligand

t. Trail

u. Lymphotactin

v. Mannan (M-FP)

w. Heat Shock Proteins (apg-2, Hsp70 and Hsp 90 are examples)

Diseases and Antigens—Vaccination Targets

a. Cancer: antigens and their sources

i. Tumor lysates extracted from biopsies

ii. Irradiated tumor cells

iii. Melanoma

1. MAGE series of antigens (MAGE-1 is an example)

2. MART-1/melana

3. Tyrosinase

4. ganglioside

5. gp100

6. GD-2

7. O-acetylated GD-3

8. GM-2

iv. Breast Cancer

1. MUC-1

2. Sos1

3. Protein kinase C-binding protein

4. Reverse trascriptase protein

5. AKAP protein

6. VRK1

7. KIAA1735

8. T7-1, T11-3, T11-9

v. Other General and Specific Cancer Antigens

1. Homo Sapiens telomerase ferment (hTRT)

2. Cytokeratin-19 (CYFRA21-1)

3. SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA ANTIGEN 1 (SCCA-1), (PROTEIN T4-A)

4. SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA ANTIGEN 2 (SCCA-2)

5. Ovarian carcinoma antigen CAl25 (1A1-3B) (KIAA0049)

6. MUCIN 1 (TUMOR-ASSOCIATED MUCIN), (CARCINOMA-ASSOCIATED MUCIN), (POLYMORPHIC EPITHELIAL MUCIN), (PEM), (PEMT), (EPISIALIN), (TUMOR-ASSOCIATED EPITHELIAL MEMBRANE ANTIGEN), (EMA), (H23AG), (PEANUT-REACTIVE URINARY MUCIN), (PUM), (BREAST CARCINOMA-ASSOCIATED ANTIGEN DF3) 7. CTCL tumor antigen se1-1 8. CTCL tumor antigen se14-3 9. CTCL tumor antigen se20-4 10. CTCL tumor antigen se20-9 11. CTCL tumor antigen se33-1 12. CTCL tumor antigen se37-2 13. CTCL tumor antigen se57-1 14. CTCL tumor antigen se89-1 15. Prostate-specific membrane antigen 16. 5T4 oncofetal trophoblast glycoprotein 17. Orf73 Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus 18. MAGE-C1 (cancer/testis antigen CT7) 19. MAGE-B1 ANTIGEN (MAGE-XP ANTIGEN) (DAM10) 20. MAGE-B2 ANTIGEN (DAM6) 21. MAGE-2 ANTIGEN 22. MAGE-4a antigen 23. MAGE-4b antigen 24. Colon cancer antigen NY-CO-45 25. Lung cancer antigen NY-LU-12 variant A 26. Cancer associated surface antigen 27. Adenocarcinoma antigen ART1 28. Paraneoplastic associated brain-testis-cancer antigen (onconeuronal antigen MA2; paraneoplastic neuronal antigen) 29. Neuro-oncological ventral antigen 2 (NOVA2) 30. Hepatocellular carcinoma antigen gene 520 31. TUMOR-ASSOCIATED ANTIGEN CO-029 32. Tumor-associated antigen MAGE-X2 33. Synovial sarcoma, X breakpoint 2 34. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen recognized by T cell 35. Serologically defined colon cancer antigen 1 36. Serologically defined breast cancer antigen NY-BR-15 37. Serologic ally defined breast cancer antigen NY-BR-16 38. Chromogranin A; parathyroid secretory protein 1 39. DUPAN-2 40. CA 19-9 41. CA 72-4 42. CA 195 43. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) b. AIDS (HIV Associated Antigens) i. Gp120 ii. SIV229 iii. SIVE660 iv. SHIV89.6P v. E92 vi. HCl vii. OKMS viii. FVIIIRAg ix. HLA-DR (Ia) antigens x. OKM1 xi. LFA-3 c. General Infectious Diseases and Associated Antigens i. Tuberculosis 1. Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen 5 2. Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen 85 3. ESAT-6 4. CFP-10 5. Rv3871 6. GLU-S ii. Malaria 1. CRA 2. RAP-2 3. MSP-2 4. AMA-1 iii. Possible mutant influenza and meningitis strains d. Neuro Protection—Protect Against Neurological Diseases (e g, Alzheimer's, Parkinsons, Prion Disease) 1. Classes of self CNS antigens 2. human alpha-synuclein (Parkinson's) 3. beta amyloid plaques (Alzheimer's) e. Autoimmune Diseases (multiple sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis etc) i. Disease linked MHC antigens ii. Different classes of Self antigens iii. Insulin iv. Insulin peptide B9-23 v. glutamic acid vi. decarboxylase 65 (GAD 65) vii. HSP 60 Disease linked T-cell receptor (TCR)

EXAMPLES Example 1: PLG Devices Loaded with GM-CSF

PLG matrices loaded with 3 μg of GM-CSF were implanted into the subcutaneous pockets of C57BL/6J mice. The macroporous PLG matrix presents GM-CSF, danger signals, and cancer antigens in a defined spatiotemporal manner in vivo, and serves as a residence for recruited DCs as they are programmed. These matrices released approximately 60% of their bioactive GM-CSF load within the first 5 days, followed by slow and sustained release of bioactive GM-CSF over the next 10 days (FIG. 11A) to effectively recruit resident DCs.

The matrices were made as follows. A 85:15, 120 kD copolymer of D,L-lactide and glycolide (PLG) (Alkermes, Cambridge, Mass.) was utilized in a gas-foaming process to form macroporous PLG matrices (Harris, L L S., Kim, B. S., and Mooney, D. J. Open pore biodegradable matrices formed with gas foaming. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 42, 396-402 (1998)). GM-CSF was encapsulated (54% efficiency) into PLG scaffolds using a high pressure CO₂ foaming process. PLG microspheres encapsulating GM-CSF were made using standard double emulsion (Cohen S., Yoshioka T., Lucarelli, M., Hwang L. H., and Langer R. Controlled delivery systems for proteins based on poly(lactic/glycolic acid) microspheres. Pharm. Res. 8, 713-720 (1991)). To incorporate tumor lysates, biopsies of B16-F10 tumors that had grown subcutaneously in the backs of C57BL/6J mice (Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor Me.), were digested in collagenase (250 U/ml) (Worthington, Lakewood, N.J.), and subjected to 4 cycles of rapid freeze in liquid nitrogen and thaw (37° C.) and then centrifuged at 400 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant containing tumor lysates was collected and lyophilized with the PLG microspheres and the resulting mixture was used to make PLG scaffold-based cancer vaccines. To incorporate CpG-ODNs into PLG scaffolds, CpG-ODN 1826, 5′-tcc atg acg ttc ctg acg tt-3′, (Invivogen, San Diego, Calif.) was first condensed with poly(ethylenimine) (PEI, Mw ˜25,000 g mol-1, Sigma Aldrich) molecules by dropping ODN-1826 solutions into PEI solution, while vortexing the mixture. The charge ratio between PEI and CpG-ODN (NH3+:PO4−) was kept constant at 7 during condensation. PEI-CpG-ODN condensate solutions were then vortexed with 60 μl of 50% (wt/vol) sucrose solution, lyophilized and mixed with dry sucrose to a final weight of 150 mg. The sucrose containing condensates was then mixed with blank, GM-CSF and/or tumor lysate loaded PLG microspheres to make PLG cancer vaccines.

Following administration to the animals, histological analysis was carried out at day 14. The analysis revealed that the total cellular infiltration into scaffolds was significantly enhanced compared to control (no incorporated GM-CSF) (FIG. 11B). Analysis for DCs specifically (cells positive for cell surface antigens CD11c and CD86) showed that GM-CSF increased not just the total resident cell number, but also the percentage of cells that were DCs (FIG. 11C). The number of DCs residing in the material as a result of GM-CSF delivery was approximately the same or better than the number of DCs that are commonly programmed and administered by ex vivo protocols (˜10⁶ cells), and enhanced DC numbers were sustained in the material over time. The effects of GM-CSF on in vivo DC recruitment were time and dose-dependent (FIG. 11D).

The dose of GM-CSF delivered from the PLG scaffolds was altered to provide distinct in vivo concentration profiles in the surrounding tissue, and regulate DC maturation and dispersion of resident DCs (FIG. 11E) Implantation of scaffolds with no GM-CSF led to moderate local levels immediately after implantation that subsequently fell to low levels by day 1-2, and then peaked again at day 5, likely due to the inflammatory response to the surgery and implanted PLG. Delivery of GM-CSF from the PLG scaffolds led to a similar GM-CSF concentration profile over time, but at much higher local concentrations. By approximately doubling the initial dose of GM-CSF, the system attained an order of magnitude difference in the peak levels of GM-CSF in vivo, likely due to endogenous GM-CSF production by resident DCs and leukocytes. The secondary peak for GM-CSF was found at day 5 for the 3000 ng dose, and at day 7 for the 7000 ng dose (FIG. 11E). Regardless of whether 3000 or 7000 ng doses of GM-CSF were utilized, the activation state of DCs peaked when GM-CSF levels began to subside (at days 10 and 28, respectively) and enter into the optimal concentration range for DC programming.

The ability of the pulse of GM-CSF to recruit and subsequently release a batch of activated DCs to home to the lymph nodes was then tested. Fluorescein isocyanate (FITC) was incorporated into and painted onto PLG scaffolds, as DCs recruited to the scaffold ingest this label. The label can be later used to identify these cells following their trafficking to the inguinal lymph nodes. At day 2, the 3000 ng dose of GM-CSF led to an inhibition of lymph node homing, likely due to the high initial levels of GM-CSF that entrap DCs at the scaffold site (FIG. 11F). However, as GM-CSF levels subsided, a batch of the recruited, FITC-positive DCs were released from the matrices, resulting in a superior and a sustained DC presence in the lymph nodes.

As temporally controlling the local GM-CSF concentration in turn controls recruitment, and dispersement of a batch of DCs, the utility of these cells as a cancer vaccine was evaluated by immobilizing melanoma tumor lysates into the matrices to load resident DCs with tumor antigens. These PLG cancer vaccines were implanted into C57BL/6J mice, and 14 days later these mice were injected with highly aggressive and metastatic B16-F10 melanoma cells. All mice implanted solely with blank PLG scaffolds had appreciable tumors within 18 days and had to be euthanized by day 23, due to the aggressiveness of these cells. Delivery of antigen alone from the PLG scaffolds slightly improved the fate of the mice, as some mice in this group survived until day 40. Surprisingly, co-delivery of GM-CSF with antigen dramatically decreased tumor formation, and the optimal GM-CSF dose delayed tumor formation by approximately 40 days in 50% of the animals, and cured 23% of animals. Moreover, localized tumor antigen presentation in combination with optimal GM-CSF exposure (400 ng) increased the average time before tumor formation by 3-fold as compared to antigen alone, and by nearly 2-fold over non-optimal GM-CSF exposure.

Analysis of T-cell infiltration into tumor tissue by immunohistochemistry was next performed to determine if programmed DCs were capable of inducing T-cell activation and homing to tumors. Vaccination with antigen alone resulted in CD4(+) T-cell infiltrates. Notably, recruiting and programming a batch of DCs in situ with appropriate GM-CSF presentation resulted in a 2-fold increase in CD8(+) cytotoxic T-cell numbers over blank controls. The vaccine's efficacy was attenuated in CD8 and CD4 T-cell knock-out mice, attesting to the specific role of CD4 and CD8 T-cells in the immune protection.

A continuous process of in situ DC programming is achieved by presenting additional cues that released the DCs from GM-CSF inhibition once they reside in the matrices. In particular, the presentation of synthetic CpG-ODN with exogenous GM-CSF provides a mimic of bacterial infections, in which cells recruited by inflammatory cytokines are stimulated by local toll-like receptor activating “danger signals”, such as CpG-ODN present in bacteria. CpG-ODN was immobilized to the PLG matrices by first condensing nucleotides with polyethylenimine (PEI) to form cationic nanoparticles. Following foaming of a combination of CpG-ODN and PLG particles, the CpG-ODN was largely retained in the matrices (>80% over 25 days) due to electrostatic interactions with the anionic PLG material. The CpG-ODN immobilization allows for host DCs, recruited by GM-CSF, to uptake these nucleotides locally as they reside in the matrices. Surprisingly, this approach resulted in approximately 2.5 and 4.5 fold increases in the numbers of activated DCs (positive for MHCII and CCR7) in the scaffolds, respectively, over GM-CSF or CpG-ODN delivery alone. CpG-ODN presentation enhanced DC activation in the presence of inhibitory GM-CSF levels (>40 ng/ml) in situ, indicating a more continuous process of DC recruitment and activation. This infection-mimicking system reliably generated activated DCs′. The magnitude of the immune response with this infection-mimic was confirmed grossly, as the lymph nodes of these animals were markedly enlarged. Most importantly, a 6-fold increase in the number of DCs that were first recruited to the matrices and subsequently dispersed to the lymph nodes was achieved with this system.

The ability of continuous DC recruitment, and programming to generate an immune response was next tested in the melanoma model. The vaccine provided significant protection, and the level of protection correlated with the CpG dose. Animal survival increased from 23% to 50% and finally 90% at CpG doses of 0 μg, 10 μg and 100 μg, respectively. This material infection-mimic induced equivalent or better immune protection than that obtained with existing cell-based therapy. Materials presenting CpG-ODN with lysates alone had only a 20% survival, indicating the benefit of recruiting DCs with GM-CSF. The benefit of providing a residence for recruited DCs while they are programmed was demonstrated by the failure of vaccine formulations consisting of bolus injections of tumor lysates, CpG-ODN, with and without 3000 ng of GM-CSF. Moreover, injecting GM-CSF loaded PLG microspheres to provide sustained GM-CSF delivery without providing a residence for recruited cells, with bolus CpG-ODN and tumor lysate delivery resulted in little immune protection and animals did not survive over 35 days.

To further examine the mechanism of immune protection with this material system, the subsets of DCs and the endogenous production of cytokines by these cells in materials presenting GM-CSF and CpG-ODN alone or together were analyzed, along with the specificity of the immune response. The delivery of GM-CSF alone enhanced the recruitment of CD11c(+)CD11b(+) myeloid DCs, whereas CpG-ODN delivery alone had little effect on the overall numbers of this subset. CpG-ODN delivery did, though, increase the number of plasmacytoid DCs at the site, which have been described to predominantly secrete Thelper(Th)-1 cytokines, especially type1 interferons and interleukin(IL)-12 that can promote CD8(+), cytotoxic T cell immunity in response to CpG-ODN presentation with antigen. Accordingly, CpG signaling not only upregulated the expression of activation markers on resident DCs, but also induced IFN-γ and IL-12 production at the vaccine site, as expected from the increased presence of plasmacytoid DCs. Moreover, analysis of T cell infiltrates into tumors that formed in the subset of animals that were not completely protected (infection mimics; 10 μg CpG-ODN dose) revealed that, even in these animals, DC programming with CpG-ODN resulted in an almost 3-fold increase in CD8(+) T-cell infiltration over controls. Further, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-2 is a main antigenic target of the immune response elicited by melanoma vaccines in both mice (including B16 whole cell vaccines) and humans, and staining cells isolated from spleens with MHC class I/TRP2 peptide pentamers revealed a dramatic expansion of TRP2-specific CD8 T cells in vaccinated mice. These antigen-specific T cells are involved in the killing of tumor cells, and facilitated immune protection after vaccination. Additionally, 33% of surviving mice developed patches of skin and hair depigmentation starting at the sites of tumor inoculation (back of neck). Depigmentation, which likely involves T cell responses to melanocyte antigens, has been correlated to improved clinical responses in human melanoma patients, and, in these studies, was only observed in mice treated with infection mimics.

These results indicate that mimicking aspects of infection with polymeric material systems dramatically impacts tumor progression by effectively recruiting, activating and homing DCs to lymph nodes. The first approach utilized a pulse of GM-CSF alone to recruit DCs to the tumor-antigen presenting material. The DCs subsequently resided within the material and were trapped until GM-CSF levels fell and cells could become activated and disperse. The specific concentration and duration of GM-CSF are critical to its effects. A continuous process was subsequently developed to shuttle DCs through an infectious-like microenvironment via recruitment with GM-CSF, followed by activation of resident DCs via CpG-ODN presentation, and subsequent release. The presentation of PEI condensed CpG-ODN from the material dramatically increased not only the numbers of activated, host DCs residing in the material, but also the percentage and total numbers of programmed DCs that emigrated to the lymph nodes. Further, CpG-ODN signaling selected for specific DC subsets and DC functions associated with protective immune responses.

The system's quantitative control over DC trafficking and activation translated to a regulation over the efficacy of the cancer vaccine. As the numbers of DCs that were programmed and dispersed to the lymph nodes increased, the survival increased from 0 to 25 and finally 90%. T-cells mediated immune protection, as a clear relation between the numbers of T cells in the tumors that did form and vaccine efficacy was found, and infection mimics induced the generation of melanoma-antigen specific T cells. The matrix structure was necessary to produce long-lasting immunity, as vaccines delivered in bolus form and sustained release without provision of a cell residence failed to produce significant protective immunity. Although reports concluded that either cell transplantation or multiple systemic injections are necessary to promote protective immunity in clinically relevant tumor models, the data indicate that devices comprising functional polymeric residence materials provide significant and specific immune protection that is equal to or superior to previous systems, even with single application at vastly reduced total drug doses (e.g., 3 μg in the scaffold system vs. 100's μg total dose in repeated, systemic injections).

These data have significant clinical relevance, as the material system programmed DCs in situ, and not only bypassed the complication and cost of ex vivo cell manipulation and transplantation, but also provided tight control over the number of DCs recruited, activated and dispersed to the lymph nodes. Patients are treated with and the devices provide an alternative to current cancer vaccines, or are used in concert with those and other approaches.

The system is applicable to other situations in which one desires to promote a destructive immune response (e.g., eradicate infectious diseases) or to promote tolerance (e.g., subvert autoimmune disease). The use of polymers as a temporary residence for in situ cell programming is a powerful alternative to current cell therapies that depend on ex vivo cell manipulation (e.g., stem cell therapies).

Example 2: Condensation of Synthetic CpG-ODN Molecules Increases Cellular Uptake

Synthetic CpG-ODN molecules were condensed with PEI, which resulted in positively charged, small PEI-CpG-ODN condensates that facilitates cellular internalization via promoting association with the cell membrane and enhancing transmembrane transport (FIG. 2). ODN Condensation at charge ratios of 7 and 15, between the amine groups of PEI and the phosphate groups of ODNs, resulted in optimal particle sizes and positive charge (FIGS. 2B and C), but a charge ratio of 7 was utilized in experiments due to PEI toxicity at high doses.

PEI condensation of CpG-ODN dramatically enhanced nucleotide uptake into DCs in vitro (FIG. 3A-C). Quantification of CpG-ODN uptake into DCs revealed orders of magnitude differences (up to ˜100-fold) between ODN condensates and naked ODN, which were maintained for extended time periods (>80 hrs) in vitro (FIG. 3C). The complexes subsequently decondense (FIG. 3D) allowing for CpG-ODN localization to its intercellular receptor, TLR-9, which has been previously demonstrated to be present in endosomes.

Example 3: CpG-ODN Induced DC Activation and DC Mobilization

Because effective CpG stimulation of DCs requires intercellular localization, the effects of PEI-condensation were evaluated on DC activation. DCs stimulated with PEI-CpG-ODN in vitro exhibited enhanced levels of CD86, MHCII and CCR7 expression, in comparison to those stimulated with naked CpG-ODN, which correlated strongly with DC uptake of condensates (FIGS. 4A and B). DCs exhibited an activated morphology, upon cellular uptake of PEI-CpG-ODN including the development of fine needle-like dendrites and large membrane expansion, which allows mature DCs to “wrap-up” T-cells promoting strong cell-cell interactions. The activation states of PEI-CpG-ODN stimulated DCs mirrored or surpassed that of positive controls stimulated with TNF-α and LPS (FIG. 3C) and PEI-CpG-ODN condensates promoted a 3-fold increase in DC migration toward CCL19 in vitro, over unstimulated DCs (FIG. 4D).

PEI-CpG-ODN condensates also released DCs from GM-CSF inhibition, as significant DC activation was noted in cells exposed to both condensed oligonucleotides and high levels of GM-CSF (FIG. 5A). Additionally, PEI-CpG-ODN stimulation also promoted DC migration away from high GM-CSF sources (500 ng/ml) toward CCL19 (FIG. 5B).

A PLG system was developed that effectively immobilized and presented PEI-CpG-ODN condensates (FIG. 6A) to resident DCs to stimulate DC activation and mobilization. Local PEI-CpG-ODN presentation promoted DC mobilization in vitro (FIG. 6). Interestingly, there is an optimal dose range, 5-50 μg, of PEI-CpG-ODN that enhanced DC emigration from PLG matrices toward CCL19, but high doses (500 μg) had no effect on DC migration (FIGS. 6B and C). A 25 μg of PEI-CpG-ODN also counteracted the suppressive effects that high GM-CSF levels had on DC migration, in this model (FIG. 6C). These results indicate that appropriate CpG-ODN presentation provides an avenue to continuously program and disperse host DCs that are recruited and otherwise trapped by high levels of GM-CSF in situ.

Example 4: Infection-Mimics Continuously Program and Disperse DCs In Vivo

An infection-mimicking system to continuously recruit and program DCs was created by simultaneous release of GM-CSF to attract host DCs to PLG matrices, while the PEI-CpG-ODN condensates were largely retained in the matrix (>80% over 25 days) (FIG. 6), likely via electrostatic interactions as has been shown for plasmid DNA, allowing for recruited DCs to uptake the complexes locally. Strikingly, when optimized, this approach resulted in approximately 2.5 and 4.5 fold increases in the numbers of MHCII and CCR7 expressing DCs resident in the matrices in situ, respectively (over GM-CSF or CpG-ODN delivery alone) (FIGS. 7A and B). Interestingly, high doses of PEI-CpG-ODN (>50 μg) resulted in relatively low MHCII expression and enhanced CCR7 expression, indicating differential regulation of DC function in comparison to low doses (FIG. 7A). Optimum CpG-ODN signaling (˜10-25 μg) enhanced DC activation in the presence of inhibitory GM-CSF levels (>40 ng/ml) in situ, and this infection-mimicking system generated the numbers of activated DCs (>10⁶) (FIGS. 7A and B) commonly administered in ex vivo protocols.

Most importantly, a 6-fold increase in the number of DCs that were first recruited to the matrices and subsequently dispersed to the lymph nodes was achieved with this system (FIG. 8 A). The magnitude of the immune response with infection-mimics could even be appreciated grossly, as the lymph nodes of these animals were markedly enlarged (FIGS. 8B and C). As characterized by infectious responses, these swollen lymph nodes contained greater numbers of immune cells including DCs (FIGS. 8C and D).

Example 5: Infection-Mimicking Microenvironment Confers Potent Anti-Tumor Immunity

The ability of continuous DC recruitment, and programming to generate an immune response was next tested in the melanoma model. This vaccine provided significant protection, as 50% of the animals did not form tumors over an 80 day time frame (FIG. 9), and this result was remarkably similar to that obtained with a widely investigated cell-based therapy (FIG. 9). Animals receiving lys+CpG were 37.5% tumor free 140 days after treatment and achieved protective immunity.

Furthermore, analysis of T-cell infiltrates into tissue of tumors that formed in the subset of animals that were not completely protected revealed that, even in these animals, DC programming with CpG-ODN resulted in an almost 3-fold increase in CD8(+) T-cell infiltration over controls (FIG. 10). Thus, all animals receiving the Lys-GM-CpG treatment demonstrated a therapeutic benefit.

Example 6: Tumor Protection is Regulated by CpG-ODN Presentation and Plasmacytoid DC (pDC) Enrichment

Hematopoetic precursor cells of both the myeloid and lymphoid lineage have the capacity to differentiate into two main categories of DCs, plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and conventional DCs (cDCs), each of which are equipped with specific defense mechanisms capable of propagating specific responses to invading pathogens. This plasticity likely allows for the recruitment and generation of the DC subset(s) most proficient at eliciting the desired immune response. cDCs include CD11c⁺CD11b⁺ and CD11c⁺ CD8a⁺ cells exhibiting classical DC morphology with the long, protruding dendrites that make them especially adept at antigen processing and antigen presentation to T cells. pDCs are round non-dendritic cell capable of producing large amounts of type-1 interferons in response to ‘danger signals’, such as unmethylated CpG dinucleotide sequences in bacterial or viral DNA.

pDC derived type 1 interferons (IFN) link innate and adaptive immunity to viral infection by triggering antigen cross presentation to CD8+ T cells and interleukin production (e.g. IL-12) by cDCs that facilitate the clonal expansion of cytotoxic T cells. Type 1 IFNs also act to directly induce naïve T cell differentiation to T helper 1 cells. In addition to producing potent IFNs, pDCs stimulated by inflammatory stimuli and microbial infection differentiate into a dendritic form capable of processing and presentating antigen to prime T cell responses. pDCs and cDCs cooperate to perform specialized functions that initiate distinct cellular and molecular events leading to protective immunity.

Many cell-based vaccines for cancer fail to incorporate the different components of the DC network. Cancer vaccines are frequently developed using easily accessible, patient-derived blood monocytes that are transformed into DCs ex vivo using cytokine mixtures and pulsed with tumor antigens to promote antigen presentation. These antigen-loaded DCs are then injected back into cancer patients with the goal of inducing anti-tumor immune responses mediated primarily by Th1 cells and CTLs. While initial trials utilizing ex vivo DC vaccines in advanced cancer patients have resulted in antigen-specific T-cell expansion and the production of protective cytokines, many vaccines have failed to show survival advantage over traditional treatments (e.g., chemotherapy) and have failed to gain FDA approval. These cell-based vaccines provide no control over the in vivo function of the transplanted DCs and only incorporates one DC type into the vaccine, which may not be the most potent. Therefore, the rate-limiting step is likely the inability to fully recapitulate ex vivo the development of immunocompetent DCs, in particular the processes of DC activation and specialization during the generation of immune responses. The devices and methods described herein overcome the shortcomings of such earlier approaches, and therefore, have several advantages over earlier systems.

The devices comprise an implantable, synthetic extra-cellular matrix (ECM) that controls the in situ recruitment and generation of a heterogenous DC network to produce protective immune responses to tumors. GM-CSF was incorporated into polylactide-co-glycolide (an FDA approved biomaterial) matrices to recruit DC precursors and DCs, as the cytokine is released from the material into the surrounding tissue. These macroporous matrices present immobilized tumor antigens and CpG-rich oligonucleotides as danger signals, capable of programming DC development and maturation as cells reside within the material. The distribution of the DC subsets generated at the vaccine site is regulated by modifying cancer-antigen presentation by the material and the dosages of danger signals, which significantly affected the magnitude of the protective immune response to tumors when tested in an art recognized B16-F10 tumor model.

Matrices were made to release a pulse of GM-CSF to recruit DCs, and were loaded with 0, 3000, and 7000 ng of GM-CSF, and implanted into the subcutaneous pockets of C57BL/6J mice. A GM-CSF gradient formed in the surrounding tissue, which peaked at 12 hours post-implantation as the GM-CSF concentration reached 100 μg/ml and 30 μg/ml (>30 fold difference over no incorporated GM-CSF) at distances of 1-3 mm and 3-5 mm, respectively, from the implant site. Elevated GM-CSF levels were maintained for extended periods (approximately 10 days) while the factor was released from the PLG to the neighboring tissue. Histological analysis at day 14 post-implantation of PLG matrices loaded with 3000 ng of GM-CSF revealed enhanced cellular infiltration over blank controls, and FACS analysis for the CD11c(+) DC population showed that GM-CSF delivery recruited significantly more DCs (˜8 fold increase) than blank controls. The total number of DCs recruited and their expression of the co-stimulatory molecule CD86 increased with GM-CSF delivery in a dose dependent manner

PLG matrices were then modified to immobilize TLR-activating, PEI-condensed CpG-ODN molecules and present them as danger signals to DC populations recruited by GM-CSF. Provision of condensed CpG-ODN signaling with GM-CSF dramatically enhanced cellular infiltration into PLG matrices, as revealed by histological analysis at Day 10 post-implantation. Importantly, CpG-ODN presentation from PLG matrices regulated the local presence of specific DC subsets and the resulting production of protective cytokines. Stimulation of the DC infiltrate recruited by GM-CSF with CpG-ODN enriched the PLG matrix with CD11c(+)PDCA-1(+) plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), a DC subset exhibiting enhanced type 1 IFN production that are associated with t-helper 1 (Th1) immunity.

CpG-ODN leads to preferential recruitment and expansion of pDCs to the tumor site. The dose of CpG-ODN is controlled to regulate the numbers of resident pDCs, which increased from 190,000, to 520,000, to 1,100,000 cells at doses of 0, 10 and 100 μg of CpG-ODN, respectively. GM-CSF delivery alone significantly enhanced the numbers of CD11c(+)CD11b(+) cDCs recruited to the matrices, but co-presentation of CpG-ODN had little effect on either mDC populations or Cd11c(+)CD8(+) DCs. High doses of CpG-ODN promoted the local production of IFN-α (˜1010 pg/ml), IFN-γ (˜600 pg/ml) and, to a lesser degree, IL-12 (150 pg/ml) at the implant site, which correlated with the increased pDC numbers at this condition. The recruitment of DCs by GM-CSF was required for CpG-ODN signaling to have a significant effect, in terms of expansion of pDC populations and production of Th1 cytokines. These results indicate that controlled GM-CSF and CpG-ODN danger signaling from synthetic extra-cellular matrices can effectively regulate resident pDC and CD11c(+)CD11b(+) cDC numbers along with the production of Th1 cytokines.

Studies were carried out to determine whether co-presenting cancer antigens with CpG-ODNs to matrix-resident DCs would promote further DC development, activation and antigen sensitization, leading to protective tumor immunity and cytotoxic T cell responses. Antigen-presenting matrices were fabricated by encapsulating B16-F10 melanoma tumor lysates into the PLG matrices. Controlled antigen presentation in combination with GM-CSF and CpG signaling enhanced the numbers of resident pDCs at Day 10 post-implantation by 2-fold over matrices without antigen, and by 10-fold over blank controls (FIG. 12A). No significant difference in pDC numbers was observed with antigen presentation in combination with GM-CSF or CpG signaling alone, indicating the benefit of both GM-CSF-mediated recruitment and CpG-ODN activation of matrix-resident DCs. The CD11c(+)CD11b(+) DC population at the vaccine site depended on GM-CSF delivery alone (FIG. 12B), as antigen or CpG signaling alone or in combination had no significant effect on the recruitment and expansion of these cDCs (FIG. 12B). Antigen and CpG-ODN presenting matrices led to the presence of 200,000 CD11c(+)CD8(+) cDCs, which increased to approximately 670,000 (9-fold increase over blank matrices) with GM-CSF-mediated recruitment (FIG. 12C). Analysis of the endogenous production of IFNs and IL-12 revealed that antigen stimulation in combination with GM-CSF promoted endogenous IFN-α and IFN-γ production that was similar to CpG-ODN induction (FIG. 12D-E). Additionally, the in situ production of the T-cell growth factor, IL-12, at matrices presenting both antigen and CpG-ODN to cell populations recruited by GM-CSF was approximately 4-fold higher than blank matrices at least 2-fold higher all other matrix formulations (FIG. 3F). Remarkably, a significant percentage (10.3%) of the total cells at the site of antigen presenting matrices were CD8(+) (cDC subset and cytotoxic T-cells) (FIG. 12G), which was in correlation with both the number of CD11c(+)CD8(+) cDCs and the concentration of IL-12 (FIG. 12C, F,G). These results indicate that immune responses sensitive to cancer antigen presentation were generated by manipulating both the number and function of specific DC subsets in situ, including CD8(+)DCs, which was accompanied by CD8+ T cell activity.

C57BL/6J mice were vaccinated using melanoma antigens (e.g., B16-F10 tumor lysates) presented from PLG-based vaccines that differentially regulated the generation and function of specific DC subsets in situ (varying GM-CSF and CPG-ODN combinations), and challenged with B16-F10 melanoma tumor cells at D14 post-vaccination. PLG vaccines presenting both B16-F10 tumor lysates and either 1, 10, 50 or 100 μg doses of CpG-ODN danger signaling led to approximately 10-30% of the vaccinated mice surviving, tumor-free (FIG. 13A), after an otherwise lethal dose while 100% of unvaccinated mice were euthanized by day 23 due to tumor burden. Surprisingly, GM-CSF mediated DC recruitment combined with antigen and CpG-ODN presentation generated significant tumor protection. CpG-ODN doses of 10, 50, and 100 μg resulted in 50, 60 and 90% survival rates (FIG. 13B). Survival rates correlated strongly with the number of pDCs generated at the PLG vaccine site at day 10, but did not correlate with the total CD11c(+)CD11b(+) DC numbers recruited. Additionally, high survival rates (60% and 90%) were attained with PLG systems that generated relatively high numbers of CD11c(+)CD8(+) DCs (˜2×10⁵ cells) (FIG. 13E) and increased IFN-α, IFN-γ, and IL-12 production in situ.

The ability of vaccine systems to recruit a hetereogenous DC network also had a profound effect on vaccine efficacy, as the DC population generated by CpG and GM-CSF loaded scaffolds compared to GM-CSF loaded scaffolds resulted in a higher proportion of pDCs (˜38% vs. 7%) and CD8+ cDCs (˜9.4% vs. 5.5%) (FIG. 13F), leading to a significant enhancement in mouse survival (90% vs. 20%), even though total DC numbers in situ, were statistically similar (3.05±0.55 vs. 2.67±0.64 million DCs). Moreover, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-2 is a main antigenic target of the immune response elicited by melanoma vaccines in both mice (including B16 whole cell vaccines) and humans, and staining splenocytes with MHC class I/TRP2 peptide pentamers revealed a significant expansion of TRP2-specific CD8 T cells in mice vaccinated with GM-CSF, antigen and 100 μg of CpG-ODN (0.55% splenocytes, 1.80×10⁵±0.6×10⁴ cells) in comparison to matrices presenting lower CpG doses, either 0 or 50 μg (0.2% and 0.3% splenocytes). The development and expansion of these antigen-specific T cells were induced by the promotion of pDC activation and their corresponding production of type 1 IFNs. These cytotoxic T cells were in turn involved in the killing of tumor cells, which facilitated immune protection after vaccination. These results indicate that devices (PLG matrices) described herein precisely regulate the in situ recruitment and expansion of specialized DC subsets. This preferential recruitment and expansion of pDCs dramatically improves immune responses to cancer antigens, reduces tumor progression, and improves survival of cancer patients compared to previous vaccine approaches.

FIGS. 14A-B show survival of mice vaccinated with PLG vaccines versus controls in a therapeutic model. Mice were innoculated with 5×10⁵ tumor cells and tumors were allowed to grow for 7 days in mice until palpable (1-3 mm³) Mice were vaccinated (at Day 7) with PLG scaffolds containing 3 μg GM-CSF, tumor lysates and 100 μg CpG-ODN. Survival data was obtained using mice (n=10) with established tumors (7 days after tumor inoculation). PLG vaccines containing GM-CSF, lysates and CpG-ODN were using for the vaccination.

The macroporous, synthetic ECMs described herein provided control over the presentation of inflammatory and infectious signaling agents creating microenvironments capable of generating distinct DC networks in situ. The total cell number and heterogeneity of these DC networks correlated with the magnitude of immune responses to cancer antigens in B16 melanoma models. GM-CSF was released quickly from PLG-based ECMs to recruit and house host DC precursors and DCs in its macroporous structure. CpG-ODNs were then immobilized within the GM-CSF-secreting matrices to direct pDC development in situ, and, indeed, the CpG signaling not only enhanced CD11c(+)PDCA-1(+) pDC numbers at the implant site, but also enriched the site with pDCs in a dose dependent manner. When tumor antigen was incorporated into PLG matrices, enhancement of activity and enrichment of CD11c+CD8+ cDCs at the vaccine site was observed. The provision of cancer antigens resulted in an enhancement of the total CD8+ cell population, indicating that Cd8+DCs and Cd8+ T cells responded in situ to the antigen-presenting material and that the immune response had cytotoxic components. Cytokine analysis at the vaccine implant site indicated that DC subsets act in a cooperative fashion to generate an effective immune response. pDC numbers correlated strongly with the presence of type-1 IFNs, which aided the activation of and antigen cross-presentation by CD11c(+)CD11b(+) cDCs (ref) to enhance CTL priming by these cells. Additionally, pDCs and CD8+cDC numbers correlated with IL-12 production, which promotes antigen expression and cross-presentation by matrix resident DCs and the development and growth of CTLs.

Tumor growth and T-cell analysis indicated that as the heterogeneity of the DC network increased in situ, so did vaccine efficacy. Although total DC numbers remained statistically similar with GM-CSF signaling, provision of CpG-ODN danger signaling increased pDC numbers in a dose dependent manner, which strongly correlated to animal survival after a B16-F10 tumor challenge. CpG-ODN doses of 10, 50 and 100 μg (in GM-CSF secreting matrices) along with melanoma antigen presentation from PLG vaccines resulted in 45%, 60% and 90% survival in mice. Removal of GM-CSF signaling from PLG vaccines sharply reduced the total numbers of DCs generated in situ, which resulted in survival dropping to 10%, whereas removal of CpG-ODN signaling reduce pDC numbers in situ, as a majority of the DCs (87.4%) were CD11b+CDCs. The minimum number of DCs required to induce protective immunity was determined for each DC subset, as approximately 600,000 pDCs and 200,000 CD8+ cDCs (30% of total DCs) were required to cooperate with approximately 2,000,0000 CD11b+ cDCs to achieve greater than 50% survival after tumor challenge.

The results are clinically significant as the devices and methods demonstrated the ability to quantitatively target and employ DC subsets in vivo for the generation of immunity, resulting in distinct and protective immune responses.

Other Embodiments

The patent and scientific literature referred to herein establishes the knowledge that is available to those with skill in the art. All United States patents and published or unpublished United States patent applications cited herein are incorporated by reference. All published foreign patents and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference. All other published references, documents, manuscripts and scientific literature cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising a scaffold polymer selected from the group consisting of poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLG), alginate, xanthan gum, gellan, or emulsan; a tumor antigen; a recruitment composition comprising a cytokine, which comprises a granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), that recruits one or more dendritic cells to temporarily reside within said device; and a positively charged polyethylenimine (PEI)-condensed toll-like receptor-9 (TLR-9)-activating CpG-ODN (PEI-CpG-ODN) which is retained in or on said scaffold polymer, wherein said PEI-CpG-ODN is present in an amount effective to overcome the trapping effect of the cytokine on said dendritic cells.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the recruitment composition is encapsulated.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said tumor antigen comprises a biopsy tumor cell lysate.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the scaffold polymer is alginate.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the scaffold polymer is PLG.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the CpG-ODN is CpG-ODN
 1826. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said PEI-CpG-ODN comprises nanoparticles.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said PEI-CpG-ODN is retained in said scaffold polymer. 